How Did Flex-N-Gate Become an OSHA Repeat Offender?

Officials from the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have cited a Flex-N-Gate Guardian West plant in Illinois for multiple safety violations, according to The News-Gazette. OSHA announced the citations on January 16 following the inspection of the facility. Flex-N-Gate manufactures bumpers for automobiles and is no stranger to OSHA.

OSHA cited six serious safety violations, including a failure to protect workers from hazardous materials and a lack of an adequate response plan in the event of an emergency. Proposed fines total $41,200.

“We are just learning of these citations, and we look forward to providing detailed responses to each of these unproven allegations from OSHA in the weeks ahead,” said Flex-N-Gate spokesman Jim Woodcock.

Had the facility been conducting its own inspections thoroughly, these violations may not come as such a surprise to Woodcock. This exact facility in Urbana, Illinois was in May 2012 for six serious safety violations as well as December 2010 for two serious safety violations.

“Manufacturers such as Guardian West , which are the subject of repeat complaint inspections, need to demonstrate a commitment to properly training and protecting workers from exposure to hazards,” said OSHA Area Director Tom Bilema.

Please contact our firm for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been injured on the job.

Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus Workers Comp Attorneys