Manufacturer Cited for Machine Safety Violations After Worker Injured, Hospitalized
OSHA has proposed penalties of $159,00 after the incident in 2021.
- By Alex Saurman
- Apr 14, 2022
A manufacturer in Wisconsin has been cited after a worker was struck by a machine and injured.
According to a press release, in December 2021, a worker at Crystal Finishing Systems, Inc. of Weston, Wisconsin, was trying to “unjam a piece of aluminum” when a puller machine struck them. They sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized.
OSHA determined that workers were not protected from the puller and were not trained on machine safety. In addition, OSHA found lockout procedures were not followed for service. Crystal Finishing was cited for one serious and two repeated violations. The fines total $159,522.
The company was cited for similar violations eight times since 2012.
“Machine guards are designed to protect workers from suffering serious injuries, but they are only effective when used properly,” OSHA’s Area Director Robert Bonack in Appleton said in a press release. “OSHA will hold this company and others accountable for failing to comply with safety and health regulations put in place to prevent worker injuries.”
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.