Region 6 News Release: OSHA-09-430-DAL
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth Todd
Phone: 972-850-4710

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites stamping company for alleged safety and health violations following worker injury in Grapevine, Texas

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Wrico Stamping Co. of Texas in Grapevine for one alleged willful, four alleged serious and one alleged other-than-serious violation of safety and health standards. The agency has proposed penalties totaling $99,000.

"Employers must ensure that their workers are fully protected when working around hazardous equipment," said Zachary Barnett, OSHA's area director in Fort Worth, Texas. "If the company had followed OSHA's standards, it is possible this tragic accident could have been avoided."

OSHA's Fort Worth Area Office conducted its inspection at the company's facility on 650 Industrial Blvd. in Grapevine. The inspection was initiated after an employee's hand was crushed on Nov. 7 while operating a 75-ton mechanical power press. The investigation found willful violations for failing to perform regular inspections of mechanical power presses. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Serious violations included failing to provide safety blocks on mechanical presses, to provide adequate supervision while employees are working on hazardous equipment and to ensure adequate training is given for maintaining mechanical equipment. Serious citations are issued when death or serious injury could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

An other-than-serious citation was issued for failing to report an amputation injury within 30 days.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Fort Worth or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Fort Worth area employers and employees with questions about safety and health can call 817-428-2470 or OSHA's hotline at 800-321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities or imminent dangers.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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