OSHA Proposes Pricey Penalties Against Alabama Manufacturer For Removing Equipment Guards

OSHA is proposing $63,700 in penalties against an Alabama manufacturer for safety violations, following an inspection in October 2009 that was triggered by an employee sustaining an amputation of three fingers on one hand.

The investigation revealed that the company had violated OSHA standards by failing to provide proper machine guarding. The employer allowed the light curtains, an invisible infrared beam used for employee protection, to be overridden and remain inoperable for a period of two years. If the light curtain had been operating correctly, the amputation could have been avoided.

As a result, OSHA is proposing one willful violation carrying $49,000 in proposed penalties. The agency defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

Seven serious violations, with proposed penalties of $14,700, included open-sided floors, electrical hazards, other machine guarding deficiencies and failure to label stop buttons.

The company reportedly has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.