OSHA Penalizes Plastics Firm for Electric Shock, Machine Hazards
"This inspection identified a broad range of hazards that, if left uncorrected, expose workers to electric shock, potential falls and 'caught-in' hazards posed by work around machinery," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.
OSHA has cited Plastican Inc. in Macon, Ga., a division of Bway Holding Corp., with 11 safety violations following an April inspection of the company's facility. Proposed penalties total $51,757.
Ten serious violations involve failing to develop lockout/tagout procedures for the energy sources of the injection molding machine, grinders, and blenders; exposing employees to fall hazards by having a missing mid-rail on a platform; allowing unguarded equipment; not closing the open holes of junction boxes located throughout the plant; not labeling the purposes of the breakers on the electrical panel; obstructing access to the electrical panels; exposing electrical parts on equipment; not wiring a fan directly to a switch; slip and trip hazards; and several instances of flexible cords being used as permanent wiring.
One other-than-serious violation is being cited for failing to certify monthly inspections of the hooks for the overload crane.
"This inspection identified a broad range of hazards that, if left uncorrected, expose workers to electric shock, potential falls and 'caught-in' hazards posed by work around machinery," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. "Employers cannot wait for an OSHA inspection to identify the hazards that expose their employees to serious injury. It is good business to implement preventive programs and systems to ensure that such hazards are identified and corrected as part of day-to-day operations."
Bway Holding Corp., a North American manufacturer of rigid metal and plastic containers, has its corporate office in Atlanta and acquired Plastican Inc. in October 2010. The Macon facility manufactures plastic open head pails and screw top injection pails.