Region 4 News Release: 13-89-ATL (18)
Jan. 28, 2013
Contact: Michael D'Aquino
Phone: 404-562-2076
Email: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov

Pyongsan America Inc. in Auburn, Ala., cited by US Department of
Labor's OSHA following amputation of worker's finger

AUBURN, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Pyongsan America Inc. with one willful safety violation after a worker had a finger amputated while crimping air conditioning hoses on a new vehicle at the company's manufacturing facility in Auburn. OSHA's Mobile Area Office initiated an inspection on Sept. 11, 2012, in response to the amputation.

The willful violation involves failing to provide machine guarding for the points of operation on the crimping machines. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

"Although management was aware the crimpers and bending machines lacked machine guarding, no action was taken to protect workers' from injury," said Joseph Roesler, OSHA's area director in Mobile. "It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that proper protections and safety procedures are followed at all times."

Pyongsan America manufactures automotive parts for Hyundai Motor Co. Proposed penalties total $69,300. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a 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 agency's Mobile Area Office at 251-441-6131.

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 or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 216-893-7828 or TTY 216-893-7755.