Region 5 News Release: 11-1539-CHI
Oct. 27, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4807
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Canton Drop Forge in Ohio for
safety violations after worker dies in machinery accident

CANTON, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Canton Drop Forge for one serious and three repeat safety violations after a 31-year-old worker died when he was struck by a loader bucket at the company's Canton facility on April 22.

The worker was removing a wooden pallet from a shot blast tumbler barrel when the wire rope cable on the loader bucket broke, causing the bucket to fall and strike the worker. The company was cited for two repeat violations related to the fatality: failing to provide machine guarding and operating equipment with a damaged control panel, a non-working limit switch and a push button that was stuck in the "on" position on the loader bucket.

"Canton Drop Forge has a responsibility to ensure its equipment is operationally safe and that workers are properly trained," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Workers should never be required to use faulty equipment and risk their lives to earn a paycheck. This terrible incident should have been prevented."

The third repeat violation was cited for allowing workers to walk and work on surfaces made slippery from steel shot blast pellets and cluttered by wood and tools. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. Canton Drop Forge was cited for these violations in 2006 and 2008 at its Canton facility.

The serious violation related to a fixed ladder on an elevated platform that was damaged, bent and slippery. 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.

OSHA has proposed fines of $89,000 as a result of its investigation. Canton Drop Forge, which manufactures closed die forgings for high-performance applications, 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.

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 Cleveland Area Office at 216-615-4266.

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.