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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration hit Specialty Metals Processing Inc. with $131,320 in fines for safety violations. The fines are for five violations Specialty Metals Processing was cited for at its machine tool manufacturing plant in Stow, Ohio, according to an OSHA news release.
The violations were found during a follow-up inspection in January and included two repeat violations and three failure-to-abate violations. The repeat violations were for failing to train workers on the purpose and use of energy control procedures and not training them on the general principles of fire extinguisher use upon initial employment and annually thereafter. Specialty Metals Processing was also cited for these same violations in February 2012.
The three failure-to-abate violations also stem from prior violations found during that February 2012 inspection. These violations included:
Failing to administer an effective hearing conservation program
Failing to implement procedures to control hazardous energy
“Specialty Metals Processing has a responsibility to protect its workers by ensuring they are enrolled in a hearing conservation program,” Howard Eberts, OSHA area director in Cleveland, told the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Public Affairs. “It also must train them concerning energy control procedures to prevent injuries from the unintentional operation of machinery. Employers who are cited for repeat and failure-to-about citations demonstrate a lack of commitment to worker safety and health.”
Employees should never have to work at a company where their safety is not the priority. Yet all too often, employers fail to provide their employees with the necessary training and precautions to make their workplace as safe as necessary.
For 85 years, our Columbus workers’ comp lawyers have been successfully helping workers who were injured on the job due to their employer’s negligence. There is information about workers’ compensation and Social Security disability benefits and how we can help you if you suspect your employer is violating your rights on our website. You can also contact our firm today at (614) 221-7548 for more information or to schedule a free consultation.
Did You Know?: The hazard communication standard was the second most frequently cited OSHA standard in 2012.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus Workers Comp Attorneys