OSHA Cites Ohio Foundry for Safety, Health Violations
Employee injured, investigation ensued
Wauseon-based Multi-Cast Corp. has been cited by federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration for 13 safety and health violations, including failing to ensure foundry employees were provided with fire-retardant clothing and other personal protective equipment (PPE), following a November 2010 inspection.
OSHA issued a combined fine totaling $178,500. Multi-Cast has 15 business days from its receipt of the citations (on May 18, 2011) to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent review commission. According to reports in the Toledo Blade, company treasurer Michael Jewell declined to comment on the company's next move, or the alleged violations.
The inspection stemmed from a complaint made after an employee was struck and injured by a roll-over molding machine at the foundry, according to OSHA acting area director Vanessa Martin. It revealed three willful violations, including failing to ensure employees wore fire-retardant clothing and used face shields while working around molten metal, as well as ensuring machine guarding was in place on a roll-over mold-making machine.
Additionally, four serious safety violations were issued for failing to ensure crane hooks were equipped properly, guards were provided on stair railings, and adequate PPE were provided. Three serious health violations were also noted for failing to provide lead standard training, not having combustion safeguards installed on a natural gas furnace, an allowing an employee to work underneath a 2,500-lb sand mold. Three other-than-serious record-keeping violations were also cited.
This investigation falls under the requirements of OSHA's Severe Violators Enforcement Program, initiated in 2010 to focus on "recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate violations." "Multi-Cast is well aware of OSHA's safety and health regulations, but has irresponsibly ignored them and put its employees in harm's way," noted Martin.
Employee injured, investigation ensued
Wauseon-based Multi-Cast Corp. has been cited by federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration for 13 safety and health violations, including failing to ensure foundry employees were provided with fire-retardant clothing and other personal protective equipment (PPE), following a November 2010 inspection.
OSHA issued a combined fine totaling $178,500. Multi-Cast has 15 business days from its receipt of the citations (on May 18, 2011) to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent review commission. According to reports in the Toledo Blade, company treasurer Michael Jewell declined to comment on the company's next move, or the alleged violations.
The inspection stemmed from a complaint made after an employee was struck and injured by a roll-over molding machine at the foundry, according to OSHA acting area director Vanessa Martin. It revealed three willful violations, including failing to ensure employees wore fire-retardant clothing and used face shields while working around molten metal, as well as ensuring machine guarding was in place on a roll-over mold-making machine.
Additionally, four serious safety violations were issued for failing to ensure crane hooks were equipped properly, guards were provided on stair railings, and adequate PPE were provided. Three serious health violations were also noted for failing to provide lead standard training, not having combustion safeguards installed on a natural gas furnace, an allowing an employee to work underneath a 2,500-lb sand mold. Three other-than-serious record-keeping violations were also cited.
This investigation falls under the requirements of OSHA's Severe Violators Enforcement Program, initiated in 2010 to focus on "recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate violations." "Multi-Cast is well aware of OSHA's safety and health regulations, but has irresponsibly ignored them and put its employees in harm's way," noted Martin.
