OSHA cites auto parts manufacturer for willfully exposing workers to amputations, other hazards at Alabama facility

Employer: Daeil USA Corp.

Inspection site: 1135 Towel Ave., Valley, Alabama 36854

Citations issued: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to the employer on Jan. 28 for one willful, five repeated, 10 serious and one other-than-serious safety violation. Daeil manufactures struts and other automobile parts for Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motor Co.

The inspection was initiated as part of the agency’s Regional Emphasis Program on Safety in the Auto Industry.

Inspection findings: OSHA cited the employer for its willful failure to develop, document and utilize specific procedures to prevent multiple types of machinery from starting up during maintenance and servicing.

The repeated citations are related to the employer’s failure to provide locks to secure robots from accidental activating during maintenance and servicing; ensure protective screens and shields were in place during welding; and not ensuring that conveyor line stop buttons were colored red. OSHA previously cited the company for similar violations in 2013 at this facility.

The serious citations are related to the employer exposing workers to slipping hazards from wet floors; and amputation hazards from unguarded machinery. Additionally, the employer failed to develop a noise-monitoring program and did not provide an eyewash station for workers that handled corrosive materials. Other violations include failing to provide workplace injury logs to OSHA within four hours.

Proposed penalties: $171,870

Quote: “Management at this facility has adopted a productivity-over-safety mentality and repeatedly claims that it is ‘too expensive’ to address the safety hazards found in this workplace,” said Joseph Roesler, OSHA’s area director in Mobile. “The safety culture of this company must change immediately; protecting workers must always come before profit margins. OSHA offers free consultative services to assist companies on how to operate safely.”

The citations can be viewed at: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/DaeilUSACorporation_1081204.pdf

Daeil employs approximately 115 workers at the Valley, Alabama facility and has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a 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's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Mobile Area Office at 251-441-6131.