The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently cited EWP Renewable Corp. for 25 safety violations following an employee suffering fatal injuries in November 2017 after he was pulled into a conveyor at the company’s plant in Springfield, New Hampshire.
The energy company, which is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and conducts business as Springfield Power LLC, faces $125,460 in proposed penalties.
OSHA inspectors found that the plant’s conveyor and other machinery lacked required safety guarding, and employees were not trained in lockout/tagout procedures to prevent equipment from unintentionally starting. OSHA also cited Springfield Power for fall hazards; electric shock and arc flash hazards; and lack of adequate emergency evacuation, fire prevention and hazardous energy control programs.
"This employer’s failure to protect employees resulted in a tragedy that could have been prevented if training was provided and machinery was appropriately guarded," said Rosemarie O. Cole, OSHA’s New Hampshire area director.
The company has 15 business days from the receipt of its citations and proposed 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.
For more information, visit www.osha.gov.