Door and Window Manufacturer Fined by OSHA

OSHA has fined Wisconsin-based Weather Shield Manufacturing Inc. $114,000 in proposed penalties for eight alleged violations that lead to a workplace fatality.
March 24, 2006

OSHA opened an inspection in September 2005 after a stack of lumber that fell at the company's South Plant worksite and crushed a forklift operator.

The agency issued one willful citation with proposed penalties of $70,000 against Weather Shield for lumber bundles that OSHA says were not properly stacked, secured and spaced to prevent them from falling.

OSHA also issued one repeat citation with a proposed penalty of $25,000 for an alleged lack of proper machine guarding. The employer allegedly failed to provide adequate machine guarding to prevent workers from contacting the blade of a knee-actuated saw. The firm was cited for a violation of the same standard in November 2003.

Additional penalties totaling $19,000 were issued for six serious citations, four of which dealt with unguarded machines, one with inadequate forklift training and the last with a narrow exit access.

Weather Shield Manufacturing manufactures wood, vinyl and steel insulated doors and windows. OSHA has inspected the company 11 times since 1989, and nine inspections resulted in citations.

About the Author

Sign up for EHS Today eNewsletters
Get the latest news and updates

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!