Nox US LLC, an Ohio manufacturer of luxury vinyl tile, faces $514,236 in proposed penalties after inspectors from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the company for machine safety violations.
OSHA responded to two separate reports of employee injuries in June 2017. One employee required surgery after his hand was crushed in a tile machine. Less than two weeks later, another employee suffered partial amputations of two fingers while working on a recycle material system.
OSHA cited the company for failing to use adequate lockout/tagout procedures and devices to prevent unintentional machine movement, failure to train employees, and exposing employees to fall hazards. The company has been placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
"When dangerous machines are not properly guarded or de-energized, employees face an increased risk of serious injuries," said Kim Nelson, OSHA’s area office director in Toledo. "Employers must monitor their facilities continuously to ensure workplace safety and health procedures are adequate and effective."
The company 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.
For more information, visit www.osha.gov.