OSHA to fine Douglas Stephen Plastics $435,000

摘要

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing fines totaling $435,000 against New Jersey packaging firm Douglas Stephen Plastics Inc. for a series of rules violations it said expose employees to amputation and electrical hazards. The agency is proposing a $116,402 fine for violations of energy control rules and listed four machines where it said employees were exposed to amputation and electrical shock hazard during maintenance and other operations, and said "the equipment was not locked out [and] tagged out." OSHA also proposed a fine of $99,770 because the company "did not ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate" the equipment safely, with demonstrated successful training. The complaint also said OSHA is proposing another $116,402 in fines for violating machine guarding rules, and it identified several machines where employees faced amputation hazards: "One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees. The company, which according to its website is an injection molder and vacuum former of disposable food packaging in Paterson, N.J., said it would appeal. President Douglas Graff called the complaint "ridiculous" and said the company has a good safety record.