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According to a regional news release by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), after repeatedly failing to utilize energy control procedures, OSHA has hit Ameriwood Industries Inc. with a $50,000 penalty. These latest violations took place at Ameriwood’s Tiffin, Ohio wood furniture production facility, which was cited for this same violation in 2009, 2010 and this year.
“Ameriwood Industries is putting workers at risk for amputation and other serious injuries from the unexpected energization of equipment,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA Area Director in Toledo. “Companies must be aware of the hazards that exist in their facilities and take all possible precautions to minimize the risk of injury.”
In addition to its Tiffin facility, Ameriwood Industries has manufacturing facilities in Dowagiac, Mich. and Wright City, Mo. Since 2004, OSHA has inspected all three of Ameriwood’s manufacturing facilities a combined 10 times, which has resulted in 10 repeat, 31 serious and 14 other-than-serious violations for the company.
Any company that puts its employees in harm’s way is in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which requires employers to provide safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. If you or someone you know has been the victim of an on the job injury or workplace rights violation, our Columbus workers’ comp attorneys are ready, willing and able to help.
There is more information available on our site about workplace rights violations—including workers’ compensation disputes and on the job injuries due to employer negligence. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact our firm today.
Did You Know?: There were 314 fatal injuries in the manufacturing industry in 2012.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus Workers Comp Attorneys