OSHA is targeting several hazards in manufacturing industries. And once an OSHA inspection finds issues with one aspect of a company’s operations, you can be sure inspections will follow on other potential safety hazards.
One company experienced this firsthand — to the tune of $113,300.
OSHA cited Trio Foundry, Inc., an aluminum castings manufacturer in Illinois doing business as Sandwich Castings and Machine, with 20 health and safety violations.
In January, OSHA inspectors showed up at Trio’s facility in Sandwich, IL, planning to conduct a health inspection. The visit was part of OSHA’s Local Emphasis Program for Primary Metals.
But when OSHA cops arrived, they saw several safety hazards as well. That prompted a major safety investigation, and inspectors discovered many more hazards.
OSHA found a willful violation for failure to protect the operator of a belt sander from “caught-in” hazards and rotating parts.
OSHA also found a lack of guarding on an abrasive grinder wheel. Because similar violations in this facility were found in 2009, inspectors issued this penalty as a repeat safety violation.
Nine serious safety violations were found at Trio, including a lack of machine guarding, missing documentation of lockout/tagout procedures for machines’ energy sources, proper electrical equipment maintenance, personal protective equipment, and safety training for workers handling electrical equipment.
Health violations also found in OSHA inspection
Seven serious health violations were also issued, including:
- using an unsecured propane tank as fuel for heat
- failing to provide personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to molten metal
- failing to prevent the accumulation of aluminum dust, and
- failing to train and educate forklift drivers.
OSHA also found two other-than-serious violations that involved failing to maintain a PPE hazard assessment and failing to certify that employees received training in the use of the equipment.
The lesson: One OSHA inspection can lead to another, so be sure to have all your bases covered. And manufacturers can be sure OSHA is targeting their industries.
