Workers exposed to falls, amputation hazards at TimkenSteel's three Canton, Ohio, plants

CANTON, Ohio — Employees at all three of TimkenSteel Corp.'s Canton plants were found by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to be exposed to amputation and fall hazards. OSHA issued 12 serious safety violations, which carry proposed penalties of $77,000. The inspections were initiated following employee complaints alleging unsafe working conditions.

"TimkenSteel allowed workers to be exposed to fall and amputation hazards at its steel plants, which compromised employee safety in a highly hazardous work environment," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "OSHA hopes to continue to work with corporate safety representatives and the United Steelworkers to address these safety issues proactively and ensure workers are protected on the job."

OSHA's May 25, 2014, inspection at the plant located at 2401 Gambrinus Ave. SW found two serious violations for failure to guard floor holes and for missing guardrails on platforms that exposed workers to fall hazards of approximately 8 feet.

Seven serious citations were found during a July 8, 2014 inspection, for failure to guard cranes and crane trolley runways, which exposed workers to fall hazards of approximately 40 feet at the 4511 Faircrest St. SW plant. A third inspection conducted at the 1835 Dueber Ave. SW plant on Sept. 11, 2014, found three serious violations where workers were exposed to moving machinery parts during service and maintenance. 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.

TimkenSteel was established in 2014 as an independent subsidiary of the Timken Co. TimkenSteel manufactures large, steel bars and seamless mechanical tubing. 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 Cleveland Area Office at 216-447-4194.

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.