Worker Crushed, Wisconsin Company Cited

April 4, 2000
OSHA issued citations and penalties totaling $238,250 to American Coating Technology Inc., where a worker inside an oven was crushed.

OSHA issued citations and penalties totaling $238,250 to American Coating Technology Inc. in Eau Claire, Wis., where a worker inside an oven was crushed.

According to Charles Burin, OSHA's area director in Eau Claire, a safety and health inspection was initiated on Oct. 6, 1999, when the accident occurred.

As a result of that inspection, OSHA cited the company for 33 alleged serious and five alleged willful workplace safety and health violations.

A worker was cleaning the inside of a paper coater oven. The hood of the oven was not locked.

Another worker accidentally closed the hood of the oven while reaching across the control panel. The worker inside the machine was crushed and died a few days later.

The alleged willful violation related to violation of the confined space standard as well as violations of the lockout/tagout standard.

The alleged serious violations involved fall protection, flammable liquids, personal protective equipment, respiratory protection, confined space entry requirements, first aid and forklift training.

American Coating Technology has 15 working day to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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