Region 5 News Release: 11-1205-CHI
Aug. 17, 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 Ashland, Ohio-based
Americarb for 11 safety violations after workplace fatality

ASHLAND, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Americarb Inc. for three willful, three serious and five other-than-serious safety violations at its Ashland facility. OSHA initiated an inspection after an employee was fatally injured in March when he was struck in the stomach by debris from machinery not properly equipped with guarding.

"Employers have a responsibility to ensure workers are protected from moving mechanical parts, and electrical and hydraulic hazards," said Kimberly Nelson, OSHA's Toledo area director. "There's no excuse for not providing proper training, installing machine guarding, and implementing lockout and tagout procedures for energy sources."

The willful violations involve a failure to have proper machine lockout/tagout procedures to prevent equipment from unexpectedly starting up; failure to have proper point-of-operation machine guarding in place; and using compressed air with pressure of more than 30 pounds per square inch. 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.

The serious violations involve a lack of proper lockout/tagout training for workers, a lack of general machine guarding, and allowing workers to stand between an operating forklift and fixed objects. 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 other-than-serious violations involve a lack of proper record keeping and not providing employees with required respirator standards. 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.

Americarb Inc., a graphite machining company, faces proposed penalties of $194,400 for the violations. 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 Toledo Area Office at 419-259-7542. 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.