Wooster Facility Cited for OSHA Violations

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Smithville Manufacturing Co. in Wooster for 21 safety violations, according to Reliable Plant magazine. OSHA officials inspected the facility in December 2012 after a worker lost a finger in accident involving an unguarded press machine.

A citation for a willful violation was issued for failure to ensure guards on a mechanical power press were secured. Other violations cited by inspectors include improper equipment adjustments, failure to properly train employees on energy lockout controls, a lack of fire extinguishers and failure to properly train employees on handling hazardous chemicals. Proposed fines against Smithville total $65,800.

“Smithville Manufacturing has a responsibility to follow all safety guidelines, including the use of properly adjusted and adequate machine guarding to protect workers from injuries, such as amputations,” said OSHA’s Howard Eberts. “Employers must recognize the hazards that exist in their workplaces and develop safety and health policies and procedures to protect workers on the job.”

There is no excuse for not properly training employees to work with hazardous chemicals and dangerous machines. Has your employer placed you in harm’s way? Please contact our firm for a free consultation if you need to file for workers comp.

Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus workers comp lawyers