Coldwater Facility Facing Hefty OSHA Fine for Putting Workers at Risk

Basic Grain Products, Inc. is looking at fines from the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for safety violations, according to WHIO TV News in Dayton. An OSHA inspection of a facility in Coldwater cited 13 safety violations, including failure to ensure hazardous energy sources were secured. The investigation began in September of 2011 after a worker complained of injuries after an accident with a conveyor belt that was not properly secured. Two of the violations are listed as willful, meaning that Basic Grain was aware of the safety issues and chose not to address them. The proposed fines total $112,000.

“Failing to develop and implement procedures to control hazardous energy by locking out equipment prior to cleaning operations exposes workers to amputation and caught-by hazards, and demonstrates this employers lack of regard for workers’ safety and health,” said OSHA regional director Kim Nelson. “OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job, especially when employers fail to do so.”

Basic Grains have been cited by OSHA five times since 2001 for 12 safety violations. They will have an opportunity to appeal the violations or request a hearing with OSHA.

Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus workers comp attorneys.