Worker Fatally Struck in Stomach by Debris, Firm Fined $194,400
The willful violations involve a failure to have proper machine lockout/tagout procedures to prevent equipment from unexpectedly starting up and failure to have proper point-of-operation machine guarding in place.
OSHA has cited Americarb Inc. for three willful, three serious, and five other-than-serious safety violations at its Ashland, Ohio, facility. OSHA initiated an inspection after an employee was fatally injured in March when he was struck in the stomach by debris from machinery not properly equipped with guarding. Americarb, a graphite machining company, faces proposed penalties of $194,400 for the violations.
"Employers have a responsibility to ensure workers are protected from moving mechanical parts, and electrical and hydraulic hazards," said Kimberly Nelson, OSHA's Toledo area director. "There's no excuse for not providing proper training, installing machine guarding, and implementing lockout and tagout procedures for energy sources."
The willful violations involve a failure to have proper machine lockout/tagout procedures to prevent equipment from unexpectedly starting up, failure to have proper point-of-operation machine guarding in place, and using compressed air with pressure of more than 30 pounds per square inch.
The serious violations involve a lack of proper lockout/tagout training for workers, a lack of general machine guarding, and allowing workers to stand between an operating forklift and fixed objects.
The other-than-serious violations involve a lack of proper record keeping and not providing employees with required respirator standards.