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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has charged Crown USA Inc., a resin-manufacturer and pavement marking company with 8 serious and 6 other-than-serious safety violations that could have led to a 37-year-old employee’s fatal accident. The technician was crushed inside a hooding palletizer during maintenance. The OSHA investigators found that the company did not follow safety rules that prevent machines from starting up during maintenance. The company now faces $98,699 in OHSA penalties.
Employers obligated to maintain facilities to federal safety standards
Crown USA Inc. was founded in 1994. According to its website, it provides pavement marking products to make roads safer. OSHA contends that the fatality could have been prevented if Crown USA had simply followed guidelines for safety. The OSHA investigation found several deficiencies in the company’s safety program:
- Failing to install adequate machine guarding that would protect employees from being crushed or struck by hazards.
- Not training employees on energy control procedures.
- Not maintaining training records of safety procedures.
- Exposing workers to respiratory hazards, such as airborne particles of powdered pigment or dust.
- Not providing protective equipment to prevent skin and eye irritation.
- Not labeling hazardous containers properly.
Crown USA can contest the penalties or they take corrective action to comply with OSHA’s findings.
Protect employees and prevent OSHA fines
OSHA Area Director Jeffery Stawowy in Atlanta-West said, “OSHA is available to answer employers’ questions and to help them understand their obligations. We can also provide employers resources for identifying hazards in their workplaces and developing safety programs.” Employers and employees can request education on how to protect their workers or make a complaint about a safety issue. Whistleblowers under OSHA are protected against retaliation.
The health and safety of workers is not a place to cut corners. Make sure your place of business is following OSHA guidelines to keep workers safe.
