Worker Injured by Falling Piece of Steel, Ohio Firm Fined $54,600
An inspection was initiated July 22 after a worker sustained a serious injury to his left arm caused by a piece of falling steel when a lifting magnet malfunctioned and dropped a load weighing approximately 2,900 pounds.
OSHA has cited Lange Grinding Inc. for 33 safety violations at the company's Streetsboro, Ohio, facility, where finishing operations are performed for various manufacturers. An inspection was initiated July 22 after a worker sustained a serious injury to his left arm caused by a piece of falling steel when a lifting magnet malfunctioned and dropped a load weighing approximately 2,900 pounds. Proposed fines total $54,600.
"Failing to ensure equipment such as lifting magnets is working correctly puts workers at an unnecessary safety risk in a highly hazardous industry," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Employers have a responsibility to recognize the hazards that exist in their facilities and take necessary precautions to protect workers' safety and health."
Lange Grinding has been cited for 30 serious violations. Those specifically related to the incident include the lack of a load rating for the lifting magnet and the lack of protection on the toggle switch of the magnet's control panel. Other violations include failing to guard open-sided floors and exposed stairways, inspect ladders and remove a defective ladder from service, implement a lockout program for the energy sources of equipment, train lift truck operators on safe operating procedures and to inspect lift trucks before use, inspect overhead cranes, inspect slings and fastening attachments, remove defective slings from service, provide adequate machine guarding, store compressed gas cylinders safely, control electrical hazards, and provide a comprehensive program to inform employees about hazardous substances.
Additionally, Lange Grinding has been cited for three other-than-serious violations for failing to label building structures with load ratings, perform a hazard assessment to determine the need for personal protective equipment, and conduct fire extinguisher training.