Worker Death Leads To OSHA Fines For Manufacturer

A plastics manufacturing company received proposed penalties of $195,144 by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) following a fatal incident to a worker…

Robert Box | Exclusive to Corridor News

A plastics manufacturing company received proposed penalties of $195,144 by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) following a fatal incident to a worker pulled into a plastics recycling machine in August of 2017.

ABC Polymer Industries LLC, an Alabama based manufacturer of manufactured fibers and bulk bags was cited by OSHA for twelve alleged safety violations, including:

• Failing to provide machine guarding — Willful violation

• Stairs not having minimum safe dimensions and railing — Serious violation

• Not ensuring all powered industrial truck operators are properly certified to operate forklifts — Serious violation

• Not evaluating powered industrial truck operator skills every three years — Repeat violation

• Not providing fall protection (railing) on a platform — Serious violation

• Not having an adequate energy control (lockout/tagout) program, procedures, and associated training — Serious violation

The company’s website shows a directory for workers at the company, which includes a President/CEO, Chief Financial Officer, VP of Operations, Director of Marketing, Marketing Manager, Customer Service & Logistics Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Accounting and HR Associate, as well as various Engineers and Salespeople. However, there is no one assigned the duties of Safety Manager listed on the company’s website.

ABC Polymer Industries LLC is permitted 15 business days from the receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to pay the penalty and comply with the citation’s directives, schedule an informal conference with OSHA’s Area Director, or contest the findings in front of the independent Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission.

Robert Box is the owner of Safety First Consulting and is a contributor of SM Corridor News. Box helps businesses identify OSHA compliance issues in their workplaces, manage their safety programs and become accountable for the results. In addition to offering custom written safety programs for companies, Safety First Consulting provides required safety training, industrial hygiene sampling, noise sampling and workplace inspections. You can read more from Robert Box under Business.