U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Plastics Parts Manufacturer For Exposing Employees to Machine and other Hazards

SHARON CENTER, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Flambeau Inc. for exposing employees to amputation and other serious hazards at its Sharon Center, Ohio plant. OSHA has proposed $208,562 in penalties, and placed the company in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

OSHA cited Flambeau Inc. – based in Baraboo, Wisconsin – for two repeated and five serious safety violations. Inspectors found the company failed to use lockout/tag out procedures to protect employees from contacting operating machine parts; provide appropriate personal protective equipment; and train employees on forklift operations and machine safety.

“This company is being placed in the severe violator program for repeatedly exposing their workers to serious injuries from operating machine parts,” said OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts, in Cleveland, Ohio. “Employers need to fully evaluate their facilities for hazards and implement safety procedures and equipment to protect their employees.”

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the 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.

OSHA offers compliance assistance resources at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/controlhazardousenergy/. OSHA laws and regulations can be found at https://www.osha.gov/law-regs.html.

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 help 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 https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.