Mansfield employer exposes workers to machine, electrical hazards

Employer name: Edge Plastics Inc., 449 Newman St., Mansfield, Ohio                                 

Citations issued: April 25, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued eight serious and one other-than-serious safety violation to Edge Plastics Inc. Inspectors from the Toledo office found the plastic storage bin maker exposed workers to amputation, falls and electrical hazards at its Mansfield plant.

During its investigation, the agency found the employer:

• Did not de-energize machines prior to maintenance.
• Exposed workers in plastic injection molding operations as 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.
• Violated electrical safe work practices, including not providing personal protective equipment.  
• Not training workers adequately in electrical safety related work practices.

Quote: “Common sense safety procedures like powering down equipment and preventing unintentional movement can protect maintenance workers from amputation and other serious injuries,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA’s area director in Toledo. “Employers like Edge Plastics must review their safety and health procedures and make immediate improvements to protect workers on the job.”

Proposed Penalties: $43,200

View Citations here.

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.