OSHA fines KWS Manufacturing Co. for repeat, serious violations

Employer name: KWS Manufacturing Company Ltd.

Inspection site: 3041 Conveyor Drive, Burleson, Texas 76028

Citations issued: July 28, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration began an inspection at KWS Manufacturing Company Ltd. facility in Burleson Feb. 8, 2016. The inspection of the company, which designs and manufactures conveying equipment for the bulk material handling industry, was a follow up on health hazards found in a May 2014 fatality investigation. It also was undertaken in response to a complaint about employee safety and health concerns. The health investigation found two repeat violations including failing to provide medical evaluations and fit testing for employees wearing tight-fitting respirators while spraying paint. Inspectors found similar violations in May 2014. During the health inspection, agency investigators determined a follow-up safety inspection was necessary.

In its subsequent March 3, 2016, safety investigation, the agency identified one repeat and two serious violations. The agency issued the repeat citation for failing to provide guards on the helicoid roll mill. Inspectors found similar violations in 2014. OSHA found two serious violations and issued citations because a hook attached to a hoist did not have a safety latch and eight lathes did not have machine guards at the point of operation. 

Proposed Penalties: $49,500

Quote: “KWS Manufacturing continues to demonstrate a lax attitude towards worker safety even after a 2014 fatality,” said Jack A. Rector, OSHA’s Area Director in Fort Worth. “OSHA will not tolerate these hazardous conditions. This employer needs to act now to correct these deficiencies before someone is hurt or worse.”

Link to the citations:

• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/KWSManufacturingCo_1124001.pdf
• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/KWSManufacturingCo_1130306.pdf

Information: KWS Manufacturing designs and manufactures conveyor equipment. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report 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 Fort Worth Area Office at 817-581-7303.