The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations to Domestic Casting Co. LLC for 26 safety violations at its foundry in Shippensburg. The citations follow a complaint and subsequent inspection of the facility in August 2013, at which time the inspector found violations similar to some that the company was cited for in 2011 and earlier in 2013. The proposed penalties for the violations total $163,240.
Among the 26 violations, seven were repeats. This includes electrical hazards; sprocket wheels and chains were not enclosed; pull and junction boxes and fittings did not have the appropriate covers; pulleys did not have the proper guards; alloy steel slings did not have durable identification; and open-sided platforms and floors did not have standard railings or other safety features.
Sixteen violations were serious, including allowing unrepaired cranes to be operated; failing to ensure that forklift loads are secure; allowing workers to access different structure levels with fixed ladders and stairs; not installing fixed ladders with the correct clearance; and exposing workers to tripping, fall, electrical, struck-by and amputation hazards. There were also three other-than-serious violations resulting from damaged equipment parts and a problem with railings on stairs.
Across the United States, legislation requires employers to follow health and safety standards to prevent workplace injury or death to workers. In the event that a worker is injured on the job, workers’ compensation could cover lost wages, medical care and the permanent partial or full loss of an appendage. It may also provide death benefits to the surviving family or financial dependents of a worker who dies on the job.
Source: Recycling Today, “OSHA fines Pennsylvania foundry for repeat violations“, March 12, 2014