OSHA cites Georgia manufacturer for safety violations

RP news wires, Noria Corporation
Tags: workplace safety

The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Lyons Tool and Machine for alleged safety hazards observed during a June 7 inspection at the company's Lyons, Ga., plant and proposed penalties totaling $48,900.

"This inspection was conducted under a special emphasis program to reduce amputations," said John Deifer, OSHA's Savannah area director. "The company previously was provided safety information about mechanical power presses, machine guarding and OSHA regulations."

OSHA issued two willful citations with proposed penalties totaling $42,000 for disconnecting a presence sensing device on a power press and failing to have machine guards at the point of operation on other presses. A willful citation is issued when an employer has shown an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and its regulations.

The company also received eight serious citations with proposed penalties totaling $6,900. Amputation hazards included: failing to properly guard machinery belts, pulleys and flywheels; lack of a written lockout program and procedures to render machinery inoperable during maintenance and repair and failure to conduct periodic safety inspections of power presses. Electrical hazards that exposed workers to shocks, burns and electrocutions were also cited. Serious citations are issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

The company has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.