Region 5 News Release: 13-2015-CHI
Oct. 28, 2013
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

Napoleon Spring Works faces $147,600 in proposed OSHA penalties for
exposing workers to amputation hazards at Archbold, Ohio, plant

ARCHBOLD, Ohio – Napoleon Spring Works Inc., a manufacturer of garage door hardware, has been cited $147,600 in proposed penalties by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 16 safety violations, including exposing workers to amputation hazards at its Archbold plant.

"Our inspection found that employees were exposed to injury and amputation risk in this facility because of insufficient guarding at the point of operation of various machines," said OSHA Area Director Kim Nelson in Toledo. "Amputation hazards are one of the leading causes of injury in manufacturing. Napoleon Spring Works must be aware of workplace hazards and take all precautions to protect its workers."

Prompted by complaints alleging multiple safety hazards, OSHA's April inspection was expanded under OSHA's national emphasis program on amputations and local emphasis program for powered industrial vehicles.

One willful violation was cited for failing to guard two of the company's mechanical power presses. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.

Fifteen serious violations include failing to periodically inspect energy control procedures; provide sufficient energy control procedures; train workers in lockout/tagout procedures to control unexpected equipment energization; guard mechanical power presses and riveters; conduct periodic inspections of presses; and train workers on the safe operation of presses.

Additional violations involve failing to train and evaluate the safe operation of powered industrial trucks and ensure truck examinations prior to shift use; establish safe clearance around electrical boxes; lockout circuits during maintenance to prevent exposure to live electricity; and maintain written deenergizing procedures. 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 citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Napleon_Spring_Works_905594_1011_13.pdf*.

Napoleon Spring Works Inc. employs 105 workers at its headquarters in Archbold and 160 at facilities in Paterson, N.J., and Phoenix. It is a subsidiary of Lynx Industries, based in Canada. 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.

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 Toledo Area Office at 419-259-7542.

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.

# # #

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.

* Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.