Region 6 News Release: 13-1862-DAL
Sept. 30, 2013
Contact: Diana Petterson Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: petterson.diana@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Fort Worth F&D Head Co. for 18 serious
safety violations for exposing workers to amputations, struck-by hazards

FORT WORTH, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Fort Worth F&D Head Co. for 18 serious safety violations, carrying $88,200 in proposed penalties, for exposing workers to struck-by and amputation hazards.

"Because of the lack of machine guarding throughout this facility, this company exposed workers to serious amputation hazards and struck-by hazards associated with overhead crane operations," said Jack Rector, OSHA's area director in Fort Worth. "Employers must recognize the hazards that exist in their workplaces and develop safety and health policies and procedures to protect workers on the job."

OSHA's Fort Worth Area Office began an inspection on April 17 under the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which focuses on workplaces with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. The inspection found that workers were exposed to struck-by hazards associated with rigging and moving of heavy metal with overhead cranes, and to amputation hazards from a lack of guarding and lockout/tagout procedures.

The serious safety violations include failing to provide required machine guarding; regularly inspect overhead cranes, hooks and slings; develop and implement lockout/tagout procedures; provide strain relief for flexible electrical cords; and ensure all lifting devices were inspected and rated sufficient to carry heavy materials, such as spreader bars and hydraulic lifts. 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.

Fort Worth F&D Head Co., which employs approximately 168 workers and operates two manufacturing plants in Texas, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The SST program is one of OSHA's main programmed inspection plans for high-hazard, nonconstruction workplaces that have 20 or more workers. The SST plan is based on data collected from a survey of 80,000 establishments in high-hazard industries. In addition to the SST program, OSHA implements both national and local emphasis inspection programs, which include programmed inspections, to target high-risk hazards and industries. To view the national emphasis programs and local emphasis programs, visit https://www.osha.gov/dep/neps/nep-programs.html and https://www.osha.gov/dep/leps/leps.html.

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 Fort Worth Area Office at 817-581-7303.

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 292-693-7828 or TTY 292-693-7755.