Worker critically injured when pinned by machine at Columbus Castings

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus Castings worker suffered a broken back, a collapsed lung and partial paralysis of his left leg after becoming pinned in a machine at the steel foundry on April 22, 2014. An investigation into the incident has resulted in the issuance of two repeat and two serious safety violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The steel foundry has been cited 11 times in the past 10 years for exposing workers to dangerous machine hazards at the plant, which produces castings for use in the automotive, mining, agricultural, construction and rail industries. Proposed penalties total $89,500.

"This worker suffered life-altering injuries because Columbus Castings failed to implement basic safety procedures. Workers in this plant operate heavy industrial machinery that can produce castings weighing up to 70,000 pounds, and they deserve protection," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus. "No one should be injured on the job because their employer failed to recognize hazards and correct them."

OSHA's investigation found that during maintenance on equipment hydraulics, the company failed to lockout equipment used by the employee, which resulted in two serious safety violations. 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.

The company failed to have adequate machine guarding on the equipment. In 2010, the company was cited for a similar violation at this same facility. Lack of machine guarding and lockout procedures are among the most frequently cited OSHA standards. OSHA issues repeat violations if an employer previously was cited for the same or a similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

Columbus Castings 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 Columbus Area Office at 614-469-5582.

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.