Workers Repeatedly Exposed to Amputation Hazards, OSHA Alleges
OSHA proposed fines of $111,650 following inspection at a Packaging Corporation of America facility.
Packaging Corporation of America has been cited by OSHA for eight violations for failing to protect workers from amputation and other serious hazards at an Akron, Ohio, facility, the agency announced. OSHA started an inspection on Jan. 21, 2014, after receiving a complaint that workers were reaching in to unjam machines without turning off the machinery. The agency also alleged the company had workers standing on conveyor belts and operated forklifts without providing proper training for them. OSHA has proposed penalties of $111,650.
"This is the second time in two years an inspection at one of Packaging Corporation of America's facilities has found significant safety violations. What is happening at the plant demonstrates a company culture that does not value safety and puts employees at risk each day," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland.
OSHA issued five repeat violations, including a lack of specific lockout/tagout procedures and machine guarding, failing to develop procedures to control hazardous energy and inadequate forklift training.