News Release
US Department of Labor investigation finds wind turbine parts manufacturer continues to ignore machine safety procedures
HOUSTON – A federal workplace safety investigation into a Houston wind turbine parts manufacturing facility – operated by Proinlosa Energy Corp. – determined the employer failed to address safety violations found in a previous inspection from April 2022.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initially inspected the Houston facility on April 7, 2022, for machine guarding violations. On Nov. 1, 2022, OSHA conducted a follow-up inspection and found machine guarding violations that were originally identified during the April 7 inspection. Workers were required to perform maintenance on machines and equipment without having an energy control program that included energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections.
OSHA cited Proinlosa Energy Corp. for one serious violation for failing to have energy control procedures in place. The company faces $293,982 in proposed penalties.
“The inspection found multiple instances of employees exposed to machine hazards due to the lack of machine guards,” said OSHA Area Director Mhekeba Hager in Houston. “Industrial machinery is unforgiving and can cause sudden, severe and disabling injuries or worse when workers are left unprotected when energy control procedures and guards are bypassed or inadequate.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2020, there were 1,850 amputations resulting from being caught in running equipment or machinery.
Proinlosa Energy Corp. manufactures and supplies various internal tower components to the world’s largest wind turbine and tower manufacturers, such as Gamesa, Acciona, Alstom and Vestas. It is part of Spain’s Proinlosa Group.
The company 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.
Learn about controlling hazardous energy and proper machine guarding.
