Houston-based Custom Rubber Products LLC remains in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program for continuing to expose workers to amputation hazards.
The rubber fabrication company has continually failed to properly guard machinery, according to the agency.
“Employers are required to assess potential hazards, and make necessary corrections to ensure a safe workplace,” said Eric S. Harbin, OSHA’s acting regional administrator, in a statement. “The inspection results demonstrate workplace deficiencies existed putting workers at serious risk of injury.”
OSHA cited Custom Rubber Products for four egregious willful violations for machine guarding and caught-in hazards. The company previously has been the focus of OSHA investigators following a 2014 incident in which a worker was severely injured. OSHA fined the company for similar hazards, which still not have been addressed.
Custom Rubber Products now faces $530,392 in penalties, the maximum OSHA can fine based on the health and safety violation.
The company has 15 business days as of May 24 to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.