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After failing to correct previous violations, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $63,490 in fines for E.L. Mustee & Sons Inc., according to an OSHA news release. E.L. Mustee & Sons’ manufacturing facility in Cleveland, Ohio was cited for five violations, including a failure-to-abate a violation cited in March 2012.
The violations were discovered during a follow-up inspection. The failure-to-abate violation was for not developing an inspection program for mechanical power presses. During the inspection, OSHA found that E.L. Mustee & Sons failed to develop a program for regular and periodic inspections of mechanical power presses or train workers to maintain the presses properly.
“E.L. Mustee & Sons has a responsibility to protect its workers, ensuring they are properly trained to prevent injuries from the unintentional operation of machinery,” said Howard Eberts, OSHA area director in Cleveland. “The company must ensure that equipment, such as mechanical power presses, is properly maintained. Employers who are cited for repeat and failure-to-abate violations demonstrate a lack of commitment to worker safety and health.”
In addition to the failure-to-abate violation, OSHA also discovered two repeat violations and two serious violations. The repeat violations were for failing to develop and implement a written confined space entry program and develop specific procedures for isolating and controlling hazardous energy. The serious violations involved failing to develop written die-setting procedures for the company’s mechanical presses or a written hazard communication program to provide workers with information and training about hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
If E.L. Mustee & Sons does not clean up its act, its employees could wind up getting hurt or killed due to the company’s negligence. For more information on how we can help you defend your rights if you have been injured on the job, including helping you handle Social Security disability or workers’ comp claims, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus Workers Comp Attorneys