Machine Guarding Band Saws

$378620 in Fines Issued to Wisconsin Wood Firm for Willful Violations

Northeastern Wisconsin Wood Products was first inspected by OSHA in 2006 and issued eight citations. A follow-up inspection in 2007 found that most of the originally cited hazards remained unabated.

OSHA has cited Northeastern Wisconsin Wood Products in Pound, Wis., for a total of 18 alleged health and safety, including 13 willful, violations. The company is facing $378,620 in proposed penalties following a January inspection.

"Northeastern Wisconsin Wood Products has a history of failing to comply with OSHA standards. The company has yet to abate many violations cited in a previous inspection," said Michael Connors, OSHA's regional administrator in Chicago. "When employers knowingly ignore safety and health requirements, they are unduly placing their workers at risk for illnesses and injuries, and that is unacceptable."

Northeastern Wisconsin Wood Products was first inspected by OSHA in 2006 and issued eight citations. A follow-up inspection in 2007 found that most of the originally cited hazards remained unabated. Following the May 2010 issuance of a secretary of labor petition for summary enforcement, the company was given 30 days to work with a Wisconsin state consultation service to abate the violations. The consultation service is alleged to have ended the abatement process due to a lack of cooperation by the company. Many of the originally cited violations once again were cited during the January 2011 inspection.

Five willful health violations involve failing to implement a hearing conservation program for employees whose noise exposure exceeded 85 decibels, perform and certify a hazard assessment of the workplace, develop and implement a hazard communication program to include training for employees, maintain copies of material data sheets, and provide appropriate eye protection for workers. Additionally, the company allowed unsanitary conditions to pose serious fire and explosion hazards by letting sawdust accumulate in a pile of approximately 4 feet by the outer wall and several inches on horizontal surfaces such as pipes, wall supports, and ledges.

Eight willful safety violations involve a lack of machine guarding on belts, pulleys, gears, and band saw blades; a lack of guardrails; unguarded open-sided floors and platforms presenting a fall hazard greater than 4 feet; not using electrical equipment correctly; and not effectively closing openings in boxes and cabinets. Proposed penalties for the 13 willful citations total $360,800.

2011 - 08/08/2011 - US Labor Department's OSHA cites MM Industries ...

For 38 serious safety and health violations; fines total more than $102,000

Citations [ PDF * 4MB]

SALEM, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited MM Industries for 38 serious safety and health violations at its Salem facility, including failing to guard machinery and provide personal protective equipment. The facility fabricates filtration systems. The company faces $102,600 in proposed fines. Twenty-six serious safety violations with proposed fines of $63,600 involve not knowing the weight capacity of a floor for overhead storage; no emergency lighting; failure to implement and train workers in lockout/tagout procedures to control the release of hazardous energy; not removing a punctured and torn synthetic web sling from service; and failing to inspect cranes. Additionally, the company failed to install machine guards on a Delta bandsaw, Cleveland polisher, Reliance polisher, portable disc grinder, spot welder and numerous lathes. Twelve serious health violations with proposed fines of $39,000 involve failing to have a written respiratory protection program; failure to have a written hazard communication program; failing to identify and label containers of hazardous chemicals; failing to cover lacquer containers; constructing a spray booth of flammable materials; and not providing information and training to employees on hazardous chemicals in the workplace. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The facility fabricates filtration systems MM Industries has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Cleveland Area Office at 216-615-4266. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742). Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov .

Machine guarding accidents, trial lawyer's guide

Southern machinery

American machinist

Machine woodworking

OSHA in the real world, how to maintain workplace safety while keeping your competitive edge