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OSHA News Release (Archived)
2004 - 08/18/2004 - Unguarded Machinery, Other Hazards, Result in $67,200 in Proposed Fines For New Hampshire Match Manufacturer |
OSHA News Release - (Archived) Table of Contents |
| NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only. |
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Region 1 04-1463-BOS/BOS 2004-185 Wednesday, August 18, 2004 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: 617-565-2074 Unguarded Machinery, Other Hazards, Result in $67,200 in Proposed Fines For New Hampshire Match Manufacturer CONCORD, N.H. -- Unguarded machinery, inadequate exit routes, untrained forklift operators, and crushing hazards at a Jaffrey, N.H., paper match manufacturing plant were among the safety hazards leading to a total of $67,200 in proposed penalties from the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA cited D.D. Bean & Sons Inc. for 37 alleged serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act at its Peterborough Street plant following inspections conducted between February and July under a targeting program that directs inspections to workplaces with a higher than average number of workdays lost due to injuries or illnesses. "While the inspection found several types of hazards, the most widespread concern was the sheer breadth and number of machine guarding hazards," said George Kilens, OSHA's acting area director for New Hampshire. "We identified over 300 individual instances where employees were exposed to lacerations, amputation and other injuries because the moving parts of saws, power presses, conveyors, wrappers, dryers, box machines and other production equipment were not guarded against accidental employee contact." Employees who worked in high hazard areas of the plant were exposed to fire or explosion hazards due to their having to travel more than 75 feet to a place of safety. Related hazards included unmarked exits, exit door defects and fall hazards from outside exit stairs that were exposed to the elements and lacked guardrails. Forklift operators were not trained and forklifts were routinely used to pick up and transport large rolls of paper that were heavier than the trucks could safely lift. Additional hazards included employees lacking personal protective equipment, employees exposed to burns from a damaged incinerator and unsafe disposal of waste match stems, fall hazards from uncovered floor holes, improper storage of oxygen and acetylene cylinders and an ungrounded electrical outlet. OSHA defines a serious violation as a condition for which there is a substantial possibility that death or serious physical harm can result to an employee. D.D. Bean & Sons, Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to request and participate in an informal conference with OSHA, or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA's Concord, N.H., office conducted the inspection. Its telephone number is (603) 225-1629. In fiscal year 2002, the most recent year for which data has been published, there was a 6.6 percent decline in work-related fatalities in the U.S. In FY 2003, OSHA conducted almost 40,000 inspections, and more than half focused on high-hazard industries including construction. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of American'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 (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at <http://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. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL 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. |
| NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only. |
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OSHA News Release - (Archived) Table of Contents |
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