Region 2 News Release: 11-835-NEW/BOS 2011-203
June 10, 2011
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
Email: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Amityville, NY, metal fabrication shop
for unguarded machinery and other hazards after employee injury

WESTBURY, N.Y. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Simtek Inc., an Amityville metal fabrication shop, for 20 alleged serious violations of workplace safety standards following the injury of an employee who lost five fingers when his hand became caught in an operating roller machine.

OSHA's inspection found several instances of unguarded moving machine parts, including rollers, belts, pulleys and a saw blade. The inspection also identified incomplete or missing energy control procedures necessary to prevent the unintended startup of presses and other machines while employees performed maintenance on them; several electrical hazards, including ungrounded electrical circuits and cords, power cords exposed to damage and misused electrical equipment and cords; unmounted fire extinguishers; blocked exit access; and a locked exit door.

"These citations address hazards that are readily recognizable and preventable, and which have no place in a manufacturing environment," said Anthony Ciuffo, OSHA's Long Island area director. "Left uncorrected, they expose employees to the dangers of serious injury or death from amputation, lacerations, electrocution, being caught in operating machinery and being unable to exit the workplace swiftly in the event of a fire or other emergency."

A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The company faces a total of $66,600 in proposed penalties.

"One means of addressing hazards such as these is by establishing and maintaining an illness and injury prevention program in which employers and employees work jointly to identify and eliminate hazards," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York.

Detailed information on machine guarding, hazardous energy control and electrical safety is available online at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/machineguarding/index.html, http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/controlhazardousenergy/index.html and http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/electrical/index.html.

Simtek Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Long Island Area Office; telephone 516-334-3344. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

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.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.