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Failure to Protect Workers Results in $176,250 Fine

April 25, 2002

OSHA says that failure to safely de-energize machinery during set-up operations may have contributed to an accidental amputation at Ohio Valley Manufacturing in Mansfield, Ohio.

EHS Today Staff

Failure to safely de-energize machinery during set-up operations may have contributed to an accidental amputation in October at Ohio Valley Manufacturing in Mansfield, Ohio, according to citations issued to the company by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

OSHA proposed a total fine of $176,250 for a variety of workplace safety hazards at the metal stamping plant, as a result of an inspection the agency opened on Oct. 9, 2001 following the accident. OSHA cited the automotive supplier for willful violations of worker safety and health regulations covering lockout and de-energizing machinery during set-up operations, failing to train workers in those procedures and for machine-guard failures. OSHA also issued serious citations involving fire exit issues, safety problems with gas cylinders, protective eye equipment, forklift operations and power press operations.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to contest OSHA's action before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, to request an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or accept the citations and penalties.

edited by Sandy Smith ([email protected])

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.