Company Cited for Amputation Hazards
EP Heller Co. in Madison, N.J., faces $56,000 in penalties.
OSHA announced it has cited EP Heller Co. for two willful violations for failure to properly guard machinery to protect employees from possible amputations. The company manufactures and services carbide steel cutting tools in Madison, N.J.
According to the news release, OSHA also identified 11 serious violations for hazards including workers not medically evaluated, fit tested, and trained on the respirators provided for protection against metal dust, and lack of guarding on grinding machinery.
"OSHA previously cited this company for the same amputation hazards involving the same machinery, yet it continues to jeopardize worker safety by not ensuring the proper safeguards are in place. The proposed penalties in this case reflect the severe nature of the cited hazards," said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office. "OSHA remains committed to holding companies legally accountable for failing to uphold their responsibility to provide a safe and healthful workplace."