US Labor Department's OSHA fines E.R. Wagner Manufacturing $106,000 for serious safety violations at Milwaukee metal stamping plant

MILWAUKEE — E.R. Wagner Manufacturing Co. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 14 safety violations, carrying proposed penalties of $106,000. OSHA initiated an inspection of the Milwaukee plant in August 2013 under the Site-Specific Targeting Program, which focuses on facilities with a higher than average illness and injury rate.

"We found multiple machines in use at E. R. Wagner Manufacturing Co. that lacked machine guarding, which protects workers from amputation and other severe injuries," said Christine Zortman, OSHA's area director in Milwaukee. "Workers have a right to a safe workplace when carrying out their daily duties. No company should ignore safety precautions in favor of productivity."

One willful violation was cited for lack of machine guarding on a metalworking machine, which exposed workers to amputation hazards. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirement, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.

Seven serious safety citations were issued to the company. Four of those violations also involve lack of machine guarding. The remaining three violations include inadequate lockout/tagout procedures, training and failing to certify periodic inspections of energy control procedures. 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.

Additionally, six other-than-serious violations involve failing to inspect slings prior to use; lack of employee training on bloodborne pathogens initially and annually; failing to certify powered industrial truck training records; and failing to perform pre-shift inspections of forklifts. Additionally, forklift nameplates were not legible. 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.

To view the current citations, visit http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/ER_WAGNER_MFG_934023_0220_14.pdf E.R. Wagner designs, develops, and supplies quality casters and wheels, hinges and stampings, and tubular products to manufacturers and distributors worldwide. The company employs approximately 250 workers. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal 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 Milwaukee Area Office at (414) 297-3315.

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.