Findlay auto parts manufacturer again exposes workers to machine hazards

Employer name: Sanoh America Inc., 1849 Industrial Dr., Findlay, Ohio                  

Citations issued: April 18, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration

issued two repeated and two serious safety violations to Sanoh America Inc. Inspectors from the agency’s Toledo office found the automobile brake line manufacturer exposed workers to fall and amputation hazards at its Findlay plant.

During its investigation, the agency found the employer:

• Did not de-energize rollers prior to maintenance and product changes.
• Exposed workers working atop equipment to falls because guard rails and ladders were inadequate.
• Failed to implement lockout/tag out procedures to prevent unintentional machine starts during service and maintenance such as clearing jams, and adjusting operating parts.
• Exposed workers to crushing and amputation injuries because machines lacked adequate safety guards.

The company was cited for similar hazards in 2009 and 2012 at plants in Mount Vernon and Findlay

Quote: “Disconnecting equipment from its power supply and installing required safety guards are crucial in protecting workers from amputation and crushing injuries,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA’s area director in Toledo. “Lack of machine safety procedures remains among the most frequently cited OSHA violations. Manufacturers, like Sanoh America, need to take their responsibilities for employee safety more seriously.”

Proposed Penalties: $82,500

View Citations here.

Background: Established in 1987, Sanoh America produces corrosion-resistant, plastic and stainless steel tubing assemblies at six manufacturing locations in North and South America. Based in Findlay, the company has 1,300 employees and supplies major automakers including Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Ford and Hyundai.

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.