Wisconsin Flooring Manufacturer Faces Heavy Fines for Safety Violations
OSHA has levied proposed penalties of $269,662 to WD Flooring LLC.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Mar 08, 2024
Laona, Wisconsin-based wood flooring manufacturer WD Flooring LLC has been cited for multiple violations totaling proposed penalties of $269,662, following an OSHA inspection.
According to a release dated March 1, the agency identified four repeat, 28 serious, and six other-than-serious violations at WD Flooring. The inspection—which fell under OSHA's National Emphasis Program for amputation hazards—uncovered inadequate lockout/tagout procedures, insufficient machine guarding, lack of fall protection.
Additionally, the company was cited for not repairing forklifts, operating them unsafely, failing to provide adequate PPE and exposing workers to electrical hazards. OSHA also noted the absence of a hearing conservation training and protection program and a failure to train employees about the hazards associated with workplace chemicals.
“Each year, hundreds of workers are injured in manufacturing facilities because their employer fails to implement machine safety procedures and train workers on safe operation,” OSHA Area Director Robert Bonack in Appleton, Wisconsin, said in a statement. “All employers must evaluate their worksites and implement safety and health programs that protect workers and ensure a culture of safety on the job.”
WD Flooring LLC now has 15 business days from the receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference or contest the agency’s findings.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.