OSHA finds Texas reel manufacturer exposed workers to amputation, chemical hazards; company faces $107K in fines

Employer name: JFM International Inc.
300 E Stewart St.
Willis, Texas

Citations Issued: Nov. 30, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated JFM International in September 2016, after receiving complaints from an employee. Investigators found machines with exposed rotating parts lacking safeguards to protect against amputation or serious injury. Workers were also overexposed to noise which can lead to hearing loss. OSHA cited the company for three serious health violations, including not protecting employees from electrical and flammable chemical hazards and failing to record a workplace injury.

Proposed Penalties: $107,952

Quote: “JFM International must protect its employees from amputations by ensuring machinery has the proper guards,” said Joann Figueroa, OSHA’s area director in North Houston. “This company has to take a serious look at its current safety program and implement changes that keep workers out of harm’s way.”

Links to citations:

• https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/JFMInternationalInc_1177712.pdf
• https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/JFMInternationalInc_1178747.pdf

Information: JFM International manufactures custom wire reel and reel components. The company has 15 business days from the 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 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 Houston North office at 936-760-3800. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.