Region 5 News Release: 11-602-CHI
May 3, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4807
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Compco Industries of Columbiana, Ohio,
for 24 safety violations including lack of machine guarding, other hazards

COLUMBIANA, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Compco Industries Inc., a metal stamping company in Columbiana, with 24 safety violations after a worker had his finger amputated by a mechanical power press last August. The company faces penalties totaling $158,900.

"Compco Industries unduly put this worker at risk by failing to have adequate machine guarding, resulting in a very serious injury," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Employers are responsible for knowing what hazards exist in their facilities and must take appropriate precautions by following OSHA standards to ensure that workers are not exposed to such risks."

Two willful violations include failing to have adequate machine and point of operation guarding on the mechanical power press. 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.

Twenty serious violations include repeated incidents of failing to have adequate machine guarding in place and to implement a lockout/tagout program to prevent machinery from becoming unexpectedly energized. 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.

Two other-than-serious violations include failing to properly record and adequately describe injuries in the OSHA 300 log. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

Due to the injury suffered by this worker, OSHA's investigation falls under the requirements of its Severe Violators Enforcement Program. Initiated in the spring of 2010, the program focuses on recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat or failure-to-abate violations in one or more of the following circumstances: a fatality or catastrophe; industry operations or processes that expose workers to severe occupational hazards; exposure to hazards related to the potential releases of highly hazardous chemicals; and all per-instance citation (egregious) enforcement actions. For more information about the program, visit http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=4503.

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. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Cleveland Area Office at 216-615-4266. 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.