Ameriwood Industries Inc. in Tiffin has been fined $60,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for two alleged serious and two alleged repeat safety violations.
According to an OSHA release, Ameriwood was cited for failing to train employees in safe work practices and not requiring them to wear proper safety equipment when working on electrical panels.
"Those situations have all been corrected," said Jim Peterson, director of operations at Ameriwood's Missouri headquarters. "The inspection was way back in June and they're just now getting them to us.
"In the meantime, it's all been taken care of," he said.
OSHA reported it began its inspection in June, resulting in the issuance of two citations for repeat violations for failing to train workers in proper safety procedures, and ensuring workers wore fire-resistant clothing and voltage-rated protective gloves when working on 480-volt electrical panels.
Those citations carry penalties of $50,000.
Fact Box
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Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Toledo office at (419) 259-7542.
To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at (800) 321-OSHA (6742). OSHA's website is www.osha.gov.
OSHA issues a repeat violation when an employer previously was cited for the same or a similar violation within the past five years.
The company, which manufactures wood furniture, also received two serious citations for failing to implement safety-related work practices and requiring employees to wear personal face protection gear when working on electrical panels, resulting in an additional $10,000 in fines.
A serious citation is issued when there is a substantial probability death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
"Injuries from electrical shock hazards are very preventable, especially if personal protective equipment is used and workers receive the proper training," said OSHA Area Director Jule Hovi in Toledo.
"OSHA is committed to ensuring that all workers are provided a safe and healthful workplace."
The OSHA release said Ameriwood was cited in 2009 with 12 violations for exposing workers to hazardous dust, a lack of training, failing to ensure employees wore personal protective equipment and failing to implement and train employees in lockout/tagout procedures of energy sources.
The 2009 case was settled informally and the company paid $70,725 in penalties.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of 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.
