OSHA Cites Steel Processing Facility After Fatality
A worker was killed after being pulled into a scrap metal baller.
After an investigation into the death of a worker at Coilplus Illinois, Inc., OSHA has cited the company for six safety and health violations. The worker was standing on a platform removing metal scrap from a pit when a piece of metal scrap snagged a pneumatic line, causing it to disconnect and return to a vertical position. The man fell into the scrap pit, where he later died.
"A man died tragically and his family, friends, and co-workers are left to suffer an overwhelming loss," said Kathy Webb, OSHA's area director in Calumet City. "Coilplus needs to make immediate changes to its safety and health programs to ensure workers are guarded from machine hazards at its facilities nationwide."
OSHA says the company failed to evaluate for permit-required confined spaces, install handrails on stairways, conduct machine safety procedure inspections, and more. The agency has proposed $53,628 in penalties in the case.