Connecticut Plastics Manufacturer Cited for Multiple Hazards
Superior Plastics has been cited for 24 safety and health violations.
Employees allegedly were exposed to two dozen safety and health hazards, including falls and mechanical hazards, while working for Superior Plastics Extrusion Co. Inc., doing business as Impact Plastics. A
news release from OSHA said the company faces proposed penalties of $66,789.
"This inspection uncovered a wide range of safety and health hazards, which could injure, sicken, or even kill employees," said Warren Simpson, OSHA's area director in Hartford, Conn. "While the range of hazards in a manufacturing setting can be broad, their proliferation is unacceptable. More importantly, the existence of these hazards is preventable if the employer takes a responsible and comprehensive approach to identifying and addressing conditions before they place employees at risk."
An inspection by OSHA found that employees were exposed to these hazards: falls from unguarded work platforms; being caught in unexpectedly activated machinery due to a lack of specific procedures to lock out machines' power sources; lacerations and amputation from machinery whose operating arts were not guarded against contact; electric shock due to lack of training for electrical maintenance staff; and fire or explosion from improperly secured gas cylinders.
These hazards caused OSHA to cite the company for 22 serious violations and two other violations of workplace safety standards.