OSHA cited Access TCA Inc., a Whitinsville, Mass., manufacturer of trade show exhibits, for alleged safety violations following an accident in which an employees suffered sever hand injuries while operating an unguarded table saw.
"OSHA''s inspection found that the required guard hood that protects operators from the saw''s points of operation was not installed at the time of the accident, thus exposing the injured worker and any other operator to the dangers of lacerations and amputations," said Ronald Morin, OSHA area director for central and western Massachusetts, who noted that the inspection also found a second unguarded table saw in another part of the plant.
In addition, Morin noted, the inspection also identified several other hazards involving respirators, ventilation, hazardous energy control, hazard communication and electrical equipment.
Access TCA Inc. had been cited by OSHA in March 2000, for substantially similar hazards at its Duluth, Ga., plant.
"Left uncorrected, these hazards exposed workers at this plant to the dangers of the unexpected startup of machinery, inadequate ventilation, inadequate respirator selection and exposure to flammable vapors, combustible residue, thinner, lacquer, plastic and wood dusts, paints, fast drying cement and carbon monoxide," said Morin.
Morin urged central and western Massachusetts employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards to contact the OSHA area office in Springfield at (413) 785-0123 and added that OSHA''s toll-free, hotline -- (800) 321-OSHA -- may be used to report workplace accidents or fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers by all employers and employees nationwide.
OSHA has proposed penalties totaling $62,060 against Access TCA Inc.
The company has 15 days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to either comply or contest them.
by Virginia Sutcliffe