Ohio manufacturer of fasteners exposes workers to amputation hazards

BEREA, Ohio ‒ More than 30 workers were at-risk of amputation and other injuries daily while manufacturing nuts and bolts at a Berea factory. Federal inspectors found Telefast Industries Inc. failed to install guards and use recommended safety procedures to prevent workers from coming in contact with operating parts of machinery, violations for which inspectors previously cited the company in 2014.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Telefast for four repeated, two serious and two other-than-serious safety violations on Jan. 21. The agency has proposed penalties of $121,000.

“I cannot imagine reaching into a machine to clear a product jam or make a quick fix without knowing the machine was inoperable,” said Howard Eberts, OSHA’s area director in Cleveland. “Yet, these workers – like thousands do across the nation each day – reached into operating machines. Many suffer severe and disabling injuries. Employers must protect their workers on the job.”

Investigators also found Telefast did not provide workers with head and face protection against an arc flash as they worked with live voltage while troubleshooting and conducting maintenance on electrical equipment. Additionally, cranes were not inspected as required.

View current citations here.

Telefast Industries is a subsidary of Elgin Fastener Group of Brecksville, Ohio, which operates eight manufacturing locations around the country. The company provides engineered fastening solutions serving wholesalers, distributors and equipment manufacturers.

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 amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’stoll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Cleveland office at 216-447-4171.

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.