OSHA has issued citations for safety violations to a Milton, Pa., manufacturer. ACF Industries LLC is a manufacturer and fabricator of specialty railcar parts and miscellaneous steel products.
The company was issued citations for one willful and three serious violations. OSHA initiated an inspection after being notified that an employee received second- and third- degree burns on his face, arms and hands from an arc blast while changing a fuse.
Inspectors found that the employee was a blasting machine operator trainee and not a trained, qualified electrician; the employee was not provided with the proper personal protective equipment; and the electrical service had not been de-energized or locked out while the fuse was being changed. Citations were issued for these hazards.
The employer has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
OSHA has proposed $87,000 in penalties.
"This unfortunate incident could have easily been prevented if the employer took the necessary steps to ensure that employees were protected while performing highly-hazardous tasks," said Mark Stelmack, director of OSHA's Wilkes-Barre Area Office. "Putting unqualified, untrained and unprotected employees in harm's way will not be tolerated."
