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After two workers suffered injuries due to a lack of machine guarding at its Norwalk production facility, American Excelsior Co. was fined $65,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), according to a U.S. Department of Labor news release. Including the machine guarding violations, OSHA cited American Excelsior for 12 serious violations.
A violation is categorized as serious if it can result in death or serious harm and the employer knew or should have known it existed. Some of American Excelsior’s serious violations included failing to train workers in lockout/tagout procedures, not having standard guard and stair railings, lack of personal protective equipment for the hands, failing to utilize energy control procedures and a lack of machine guarding on various pieces of equipment.
“American Excelsior Co. violated OSHA’s machine guarding standards, placing employees at serious risk for injury and amputation,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA Area Director in Toledo. “Companies have a responsibility to implement and use all safety precautions, and to train workers regarding the hazards that exist in their facilities.”
Without question, an employer is obligated to provide its employees with proper safety training and a safe work environment. However, sometimes a company will attempt to save money by choosing to ignore this obligation, risking its workers health, well-being and even lives as a result.
Whether it is helping you handle Social Security disability or workers’ comp claims, our Columbus workers’ comp attorneys are prepared to help injured workers with whatever they need. For more information on how we can help you defend your rights if you have been injured on the job or to schedule a free consultation, contact our firm today.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus Workers Comp Attorneys