OSHA has cited Massachusetts-based American Biltrite Inc. for
work-safety and health violations that have resulted in the death of one
of its employees. The victim, according to a subsequent OSHA
investigation, was crushed in a coating machine while trying to fix a
jammed equipment. OSHA pointed to the company’s failure to use
"lockout/tagout" procedures before letting the worker work within the
machine's danger area as the violation that led to the victim’s death.
OSHA proposed penalties totaling $51,300.
Although OSHA 10 hour training and OSHA 30 course
(both online OSHA training) are now pre-employment requirements, many
workers are still exposed to unnecessary worksite hazards because of
employer negligence, ignorance, or plain disregard of applicable safety
protocols.
The company actually committed several serious violations and one
repeat violation. The serious violations included: failure to put in
place a lockout/tagout program for the equipment power sources; failure
to provide adequate working area around electrical equipment; and
failure to ensure that equipment guards were in place to prevent workers
from coming into contact with moving parts.
The
repeat violation involved allowing Class I flammable liquids to be
decanted into containers without electrical continuity between the
container and the nozzle, which elevates the risk of ignition. American
Biltrite was cited for the same violation in 2010.
"This
company continues to compromise the safety of its workers by
disregarding OSHA's safety and health standards," lamented Paula
Dixon-Roderick, director of the OSHA Marlton Area office. "Employers are
responsible for ensuring safe and healthful workplaces, and will be
held legally accountable when they fail to do so."
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