62-year-old worker dies after manufacturer ignores safety hazards

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — If they had been in place, safety mechanisms might have saved a 62-year-old parts assembler who died after he was struck by a 4-pound metal spacer that flew off a 4-ton hydraulic press, U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors determined.

An investigation at Ridewell Corp., a Springfield-based manufacturer of vehicle suspension systems, found the worker received multiple broken bones and internal injuries in the January incident. He had been employed at the company for 31 years. Inspectors found that the machine he was working on lacked required safety mechanisms.

"This tragic loss could have been prevented," said Barbara Theriot, OSHA's area director in Kansas City.

"Ridewell workers are at risk for life-threatening hazards every time machinery is operated because this company chooses not to keep them safe."

OSHA cited Ridewell for one willful and one additional safety violation. The willful violation cites the company for failing to protect workers from operating parts of machinery. The company also failed to provide the requested First Report of Injury document within the required four-hour timeline, resulting in one other-than-serious violation. OSHA has proposed penalties of $71,000.

Ridewell has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Kansas City, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, 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 Kansas City office at (816) 483-9531.

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.