CLEVELAND – J.B. Stamping Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 21 safety violations found at the Cleveland metal stamping facility during a complaint inspection. OSHA has proposed penalties of $63,000 for the violations, which include several instances of failing to have adequate machine guarding to protect workers from amputation and other hazards.

“It’s unacceptable that J.B. Stamping Inc. failed to ensure adequate guards were placed on machinery. This could cause serious injury to workers,” said Howard Eberts, OSHA’s area director in Cleveland. “Companies must implement safeguards, create a culture of safety and provide workers with adequate training for the hazards that exist in their facilities.”

A total of 20 serious violations involved:

• Multiple mechanical power press violations, such as failure to guard the point-of-operation of the presses effectively, maintain pull-out devices and remove damaged wristlets from service, and maintain two-hand press controls in a fixed position. Presses were not equipped with control reliability or a brake monitoring system, and standard household light switches were used in place of proper press motor controls. The employer also failed to develop written die-setting procedures.
• Lack of machine guarding was also found on chain and sprocket assemblies, mechanical power press flywheels, belts and abrasive wheel machinery. Other violations involved failing to have a written hazard communication program, a powered industrial vehicle training program and a lockout/tagout program for the control of hazardous energy.
• Several electrical violations were identified, including failing to properly install electrical equipment, ineffectively closing unused openings in electrical cabinets, and improperly using extension cords in place of fixed wiring.

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.

One other-than-serious violation was issued for having a damaged flexible conduit on a mechanical power press, which exposed the electrical wire to potential damage. An other-than-serious safety violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

This was the first OSHA inspection at J.B. Stamping. 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 & 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 Cleveland Area Office at 216-447-4194. 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.