OSHA Cites Arkansas Sawmill for Safety Hazards After Worker’s Death
The company now faces $218,759 in penalties.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Aug 21, 2023
Beirne, Arkansas-based Anthony Timberlands Inc. employs roughly 800 workers across the state. But the company now finds itself the subject of OSHA violations.
In a release dated August 16, OSHA announced that a recent investigation into Anthony Timberlands resulted in the discovery of four serious violations. These include a failure to provide lockout and tagout procedures during machine maintenance, failure to provide barriers to keep workers out of an unsafe area and a lack of guards or signage in a hazardous space.
This conclusion follows the death of a worker whom OSHA concluded suffered fatal injuries after a hoist table fell on them at the company’s Bearden location. According to the inspection, the lumber stacking system had no barrier devices to keep workers away from the stacker hoist. An unsafe environment resulted, and now Anthony Timberlands faces $218,759 in penalties.
“This is not the first time an employee of Anthony Timberlands Inc. has died due the company’s failure to follow established safety requirements for working near automated machinery,” OSHA Area Director Kia McCullough in Little Rock, Arkansas said in a statement. “This company’s continued disregard for the safety and well-being of its employees is inexcusable and must stop. Ensuring workers’ safety is not optional, it’s the law.”
OSHA previously issued citations at Anthony Timberlands locations in 2020 and 2022, both involving unguarded machinery. The company now has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest OSHA’s findings.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.