Metal Stamping Plant Faces $426,100 in Fines for Failing to Report Amputations
Two employees received injuries while operating mechanical power presses in the plant prior to OSHA's January inspection. As a result, the company was cited for a total of nine willful safety violations.
OSHA has cited Quality Stamping Products Co. in Cleveland for 27 alleged safety and health violations, including one willful violation for failing to report two amputation injuries that occurred at the company's metal stamping plant and another for lacking required hazard communication and training. The company is facing $426,100 in proposed penalties.
"Failing to take precautions, such as having proper machine guarding and using machine-specific procedures to control hazardous energy to prevent amputation injuries, demonstrates a blatant disregard for the safety of workers," said Michael Connors, OSHA's regional administrator in Chicago. "Employers also are responsible for ensuring that proper chemical hazard training is provided to their workers, so the workers can take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from injuries and illnesses on the job."
Two employees received the injuries while operating mechanical power presses in the plant prior to OSHA's January inspection. As a result, the company was cited for a total of nine willful safety violations, which also included failing to train press operators in safe work methods, ensure the flywheels on the mechanical power presses were adequately guarded, provide point-of-operation guards, conduct weekly inspections of the power press, and ensure pullout devices were properly adjusted for press operators. Three of the nine willful safety violations relate to lockout/tagout procedures for energy sources, including failing to develop and utilize machine-specific procedures to control hazardous energy, train workers in lockout/tagout procedures, and ensure that lockout devices were removed by an authorized worker.
One willful health violation is for the lack of proper chemical hazard communication and training.
Twelve serious safety violations include failing to perform a required workplace hazard assessment; ensure employees had appropriate eye protection; train employees in the use of portable fire extinguishers; conduct performance evaluations for employees who operate powered industrial trucks; complete annual crane inspections; ensure proper machine guarding on the shear, spot welding machines, and mechanical press; and establish die-setting procedures.
Four serious health violations include exposing employees to excessive noise, having improperly stored compressed gas cylinders, and allowing various electrical safety hazards.
One other-than-serious health violation was cited for failing to keep adequate records.
OSHA has placed Quality Stamping Products Co. in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law.
Prior to its January inspection, OSHA last inspected Quality Stamping Products Co. in 2005, at which time the company was cited for nine violations, including lockout/tagout and machine guarding standards.