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OSHA News Release
2006 - 04/12/2006 - Hinsdale, N.H., Manufacturing Plant Faces $112,250 in OSHA Fines for Unguarded Machinery and Other Hazards |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 06-576-BOS/BOS 2006-098 Wednesday, April 12, 2006 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 Hinsdale, N.H., Manufacturing Plant Faces $112,250 in OSHA Fines for Unguarded Machinery and Other Hazards
CONCORD, N.H. -- A Hinsdale, N.H. manufacturer's failure to protect workers against amputations and other injuries from unguarded moving machine parts has resulted in $112,250 in fines from the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). HCP Packaging USA, Inc. was cited for two alleged willful and five alleged serious violations of federal workplace safety standards at its 370 Monument Rd. plant. The citations and fines resulted from an OSHA inspection begun Oct. 12, 2005, in response to a complaint that workers had suffered serious injuries due to unguarded machinery throughout the plant. OSHA's inspection found that numerous machines, including stamping machines, cappers and welders, were unguarded or inadequately guarded against employees coming in contact with their moving parts and that the plant also lacked a program, procedures and employee training for shutting down molding machines and locking out their power source before employees changed dies or performed maintenance. "The lack of these basic and vital safeguards exposed employees to laceration, amputation, crushing and other potentially fatal or disabling injuries," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's New Hampshire area director. "The company knew these worker protections were required but apparently chose to ignore them." As a result of these conditions, OSHA issued HCP two willful citations, with $100,000 in fines, for the lack of machine guarding and the absence of a lockout/tagout program. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. An additional $12,250 in fines were proposed for five serious citations concerning lack of personal protective equipment; unguarded energized electrical equipment; unguarded shafting; lack of hearing protection and lack of a hearing conservation program. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm are likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA's Concord area office, telephone (603) 225-1629. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # #
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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