Workers exposed to amputation hazards at Vista Window Company

Employer name: Vista Window Company LLC.

Investigation site: 1701 Henn Parkway, Warren, Ohio

Date investigation initiated and what prompted inspection: On Oct. 22, 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Cleveland office initiated an inspection at Vista Window Company LLC after receiving a complaint alleging unsafe working conditions. This was the first OSHA inspection at the Warren-based company which manufactures vinyl windows.

Investigation findings: Investigators found Vista Window Company failed to protect workers from operating parts of machinery by the use of guards. The company also failed to develop procedures for applying locking devices to prevent unintentional operation of machinery during service and maintenance. Both of these violations exposed workers to amputation hazards.

In total, OSHA issued 16 serious and three other-than-serious violations. Other violations include:

• Failing to provide hearing and eye protection for worker's wearing prescription lenses.
• Lack of audiograms for employers exposed to noise
• Lack of training on work place hazards and procedures
• Electricalsafety violations

"OSHA inspectors found numerous machines operating without required safe guards and procedures to protect workers from coming in contact with moving parts," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Each year thousands of workers suffer lacerations, bruises, amputations and other serious injuries because these procedures are not in place and workers are not trained to recognize dangers. Vista Window Company needs to make immediate changes to its safety and health programs."

Proposed Penalties: $79,200

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.