OSHA finds Illinois trailer manufacturer continues to expose workers to risk of injuries from machine, welding hazards

NEWARK, Ill. – For the second time in two years, federal safety inspectors found workers risking amputations and other serious injuries as they fed parts by hand into an unguarded mechanical press brake at an Illinois trailer manufacturing plant. They also found the company failed to protect welders and other employees from harmful ray emissions during welding operations.

On Aug. 5, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued one willful, one repeated and five serious violations to the Newark-based Dierzen Sales LTD. Inspectors found the violations in a follow-up inspection in March 2016. The company faces $153,791 in proposed fines.

 “Dierzen Sales continues to maintain an environment where employees are exposed routinely to machinery hazards likely to cause amputation,” said Jake Scott, area director of OSHA’s North Aurora office. “The company needs to re-evaluate its safety and health programs to ensure workers are provided with the equipment and the training they need to prevent injury on the job.”

OSHA’s inspection found the employer failed to:

• Evaluate powered industrial vehicle operators every three years as required. The company also altered powered industrial vehicles.
• Promptly remove scrap metal from floors, causing trip and fall hazards.
• Cover electrical boxes and openings.

View the current citations here.

Dierzen has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal 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 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 North Aurora Area Office at (630) 896-8700.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.