US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Grenada, Miss., plant for amputation hazards and other safety violations, proposes more than $113,000 in fines

GRENADA, Miss. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Grenada Stamping and Assembly Inc., doing business as Ice Industries Grenada, for 26 safety violations carrying proposed fines of $113,400. In April, OSHA officials opened an inspection at the facility under the agency's national emphasis program on amputations after learning of a work-related amputation.

Twenty-four serious violations involve failing to properly install guards on machinery to prevent workers from becoming injured by the equipment, as well as electrical hazards, defective slings in use, a defective powered industrial truck that had not been removed from operations, fall hazards and improperly installed exit doors lacking signage. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Two other than serious violations with no monetary penalties involve failing to securely anchor a grinding machine and failing to conduct frequent inspections of overhead cranes. An other than serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

"The machines used by this employer are extremely dangerous when not equipped with appropriate safeguards," said Clyde Payne, director of OSHA's area office in Jackson. "Employers need to be proactive in addressing amputation hazards rather than waiting for OSHA inspectors to identify them after a needless injury occurs."

The intent of the national emphasis program on amputations is to reduce amputation injuries while maximizing OSHA's inspection resources by targeting workplaces with machinery and equipment that cause, or are capable of causing, amputations, as well as workplaces where amputations have occurred.

Ice Industries Grenada, formerly known as Grenada Stamping and Assembly, is a division of Ice Industries. The Grenada plant stamps, forms and assembles heavy metal parts for a variety of industries.

The citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Grenada_Stamping_315303248_10_21_2011.pdf

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

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Jackson Area Office at 601-965-4606.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.