The manufacturing industry exposes workers to multiple safety hazards. This was underscored by the fines of more than $250,000 that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed after completing two inspections at the facility of a plastics manufacturer in Ohio. Injuries related to electrical hazards and defective industrial machines make up a significant percentage of workers’ compensation claims every year.
According to the agency’s Toledo office, the inspections were carried out in November and February, resulting in multiple citations for serious safety violations. The OSHA investigators reported that they found employees were exposed to numerous life-threatening hazards. The particular circumstances involved them conducting machine maintenance on molding presses that are used to make plastic injection molds.
Compliance inspectors say the employer failed to provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment and protective clothing. Furthermore, workers were using electrical devices that were damaged, and the required lockout/tag-out devices were absent or not in proper working order. Workers were exposed to falls, burns, electrocution and crush injuries — all known safety hazards.
Serious workplace injuries are typically something no worker would wish for, considering the financial consequences it could have. Along with mounting medical bills, there will be lost wages, leaving the victim unable to provide proper care for his or her family. However, injured workers might find comfort in the fact that the Ohio workers’ compensation insurance program will provide financial assistance. With the help of an experienced workers’ comp attorney, benefits claims can be filed for coverage of medical expenses and lost wages.
Source: ecmweb.com, “OSHA Cites Ohio Plastics Company for Workplace Safety Hazards“, May 1, 2018