OSHA Cites Company for Multiple Hazards, Proposes $480K in Penalties

OSHA Cites Company for Multiple Hazards, Proposes $480K in Penalties

Workers were exposed to machine hazards, struck-by hazards and others, OSHA says.

An Ohio company was recently cited for exposing workers to hazards and faces over $480,000 in proposed penalties.

According to the press release, OSHA found hazards at a facility in Wapakoneta, Ohio, in February 2022. Workers were exposed to machine hazards from a lack of machine guarding and “amputation, caught-in and struck-by hazards” from a lack of training on lockout/tagout.

OSHA cited General Aluminum Mfg. Co. for fall hazards, burn hazards and improper PPE. Citations included one repeat, two willful and 10 serious violations. OSHA proposed penalties of $480,240.

Similar violations were noted at other facilities, one just 36 days prior. In January 2022, OSHA inspected the Conneaut facility and cited the location for eight violations and proposed $315,952 in penalties.

The company was also cited for other citations in 2021 that lead to proposed penalties of $1,671,738. After a worker was fatally injured at a Ravenna, Ohio, facility in March 2021, OSHA cited the company for 18 willful and 16 serious violations, according to a press release, and placed the company in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

“General Aluminum’s continued failure to protect its workers is a prime example of why OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program allows the agency to inspect any facility operated by a company cited for exposing workers to egregious hazards,” said OSHA Regional Administrator William Donovan in Chicago in the press release. “This company repeatedly ignored OSHA and a third-party auditor’s recommendations to improve safety procedures and training, and immediately comply with industry and federal safety standards to demonstrate a commitment to protect workers.”

General Aluminum Mfg. Co employs about 1,200 workers in the U.S.

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.

Product Showcase

  • HAZ LO HEADLAMPS

    With alkaline or rechargeable options, these safety rated, Class 1, Div. 1 Headlamps provide long runtime with both spot and flood options in the same light. Work safely and avoid trip hazards with flexible hands-free lighting from Streamlight. Read More

  • Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker WBGT Monitoring for Workplace Safety

    Ensure safety with the Kestrel® 5400 Heat Stress Tracker, the go-to choice for safety professionals and endorsed by the Heat Safety & Performance Coalition. This robust, waterless WBGT meter is ideal for both indoor and outdoor environments, offering advanced monitoring and data logging essential for OSHA compliance. It features pre-programmed ACGIH guidelines and alert settings to quickly signal critical conditions. Integrated with the cloud-based Ambient Weather Network, the 5400 allows managers to view, track, and log job site conditions remotely, ensuring constant awareness of potential hazards. Its capability for real-time mobile alerts and remote data access promotes proactive safety management and workplace protection, solidifying its role as a crucial tool in industrial hygiene. Read More

  • NoiseCHEK Personal Noise Dosimeter

    SKC NoiseCHEK is the easiest-to-use dosimeter available! Designed specifically for OEHS professionals, SKC NoiseCHEK offers the easiest operation and accurate noise measurements. Everything you need is right in your palm. Pair Bluetooth models to your mobile devices and monitor workers remotely with the SmartWave dB app without interrupting workflow. Careful design features like a locking windscreen, sturdy clip, large front-lit display, bright status LEDs, and more make NoiseCHEK the top choice in noise dosimeters. Demo NoiseCHEK at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

Featured

Artificial Intelligence