R&R Metalcraft plant facing $170,500 OSHA penalty

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $170,500 in fines against R&R Metalcraft Inc. of Huntley, Ill., for alleged multiple willful and serious violations of federal workplace safety standards.

As a result of a safety and health inspection, OSHA issued citations for four willful violations with proposed penalties totaling $159,000. The citations allege that the company failed to provide employees with proper safety equipment while dealing with energy sources; failed to properly train employees in how to recognize hazardous energy sources; failed to establish proper lockout/tagout procedures to prevent accidental start-ups of equipment receiving servicing; and failed to provide proper guard protection against shears, saws and press brakes, thus exposing employees to amputation hazards.

OSHA also issued nine citations to R&R Metalcraft Inc. for serious violations with proposed penalties of $11,500. These citations address the company's alleged failure to provide proper fall protection from open-sided platforms; failure to develop, document or use proper lockout/tagout procedures to prevent employees from being caught in moving equipment; failure to conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures; failure to provide adequate guard protection against grinding tools and machinery; and failure to provide sufficient working space around electrical equipment.

OSHA also cited the company for obstructing aisles and passageways, failure to implement a written hazard communications program, failure to conduct an assessment program for personal protective equipment, and failure to train and certify operators in the proper use of industrial trucks.

"Injuries and fatalities from accidents such as electrocution, amputation from improper guard protection or falls are preventable," said Kathy O'Connell, OSHA's area director in Aurora, Ill. "Employers must remain dedicated to keeping the workplace safe and healthful or face intense scrutiny by OSHA."

R&R Metalcraft Inc., a fabricator of metal parts and sub-generators, has been inspected twice by OSHA since 1997. After the 2003 inspection, the company was issued 24 citations for violations involving lockout/tagout procedures, machine guarding and electrical hazards.