A Lakewood, Colo.-based forge manufacturer is facing $225,046 in fines after a worker was killed.
Vforge Inc. received two willful and two serious safety violations as a result of an investigation into the death of an employee who suffered fatal injuries while working on a forging machine.
"Employers are legally required to implement appropriate procedures and provide training to protect their employees' safety," said OSHA Englewood Area Office Director David Nelson, in a statement. "This tragedy could have been prevented if safety measures were in place to prevent machinery from starting while being serviced."
OSHA cited the company for failing to develop lockout/tagout procedures, provide adequate machine guarding and train employees in a language they understand. The agency has placed Vforge Inc. in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
Vforge Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.