Plant Cited by OSHA Following Worker’s Death ($44,000)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=0bec2074-f6e3-42c5-9676-4ddaf89479e6

Auburn, New York (WSYR-TV) – A recycling plant is facing over $44,000 in fines, after being cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 22 violations of safety standards following a workers death.

State Police investigators were called to Auburn Metal Processing back on November 6th, after a worker’s clothing got caught in a conveyor belt, and was pulled through the machine. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

An OSHA inspector went to the plant to investigate, and alleges conveyors and other machinery at the plant lacked adequate guarding to prevent employee contact with moving parts, and that hardware and procedures to lock out their power sources to prevent startup while employees worked on them were not supplied and used. The conveyors also lacked start-up alarms to warn employees.

In addition, OSHA’s inspection identified a cross-section of hazards at the plant, including no program to regulate entry into permit-required confined spaces; the use of damaged forklift trucks; an uninspected and improperly maintained crane; damaged electrical cords; ungrounded electrical equipment; inadequate fire protection where flammable liquids were stored; and lack of reflective clothing for employees exposed to vehicular traffic after dark.

The plant was issued 16 serious citations, with $23,100 in fines. Auburn Metal Processing now has 15 days to contest the OSHA findings.