OSHA cites auto parts maker for forklift, machine hazards at Oregon, Ohio, plants after complaints of unsafe working conditions

Employer name: Autoneum North America Inc.

Inspection site: 1150 N Wynn Road, and 4131 Spartan Drive, Oregon, Ohio

Citations issued: Feb. 25, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Toledo Area Office cited Autoneum North America for one repeat and five serious safety violations.

OSHA opened an investigation at two plants operated by the vehicle acoustics and thermal management systems manufacturer after receiving complaints alleging unsafe working conditions.

The agency cited the company for:

• Failing to develop and train workers on machine specific procedures for isolating energy sources.
• Not “locking out” equipment to prevent unintentional energization.
• Improper operation of forklifts
• Failing to train forklift operators

Quote: “Failing to train and use machine specific procedures to prevent equipment from energizing during service and maintenance causes hundreds of amputation and other serious injuries each year in American manufacturing facilities,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA’s area director in Toledo. “Complying with OSHA’s common sense safety standards protects workers from injury on the job.”

Proposed Penalties: $59,500

View: Wynn Road and Spartan Drive citations.

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 Toledo Area Office at 419-259-7542.