OSHA Cites Missouri Recycling Company for Multiple Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Resource Management Co.’s Earth City, Mo., recycling facility for 37 safety and health violations. The inspection began after a worker died from injuries sustained in an incident June 12, 2011, when he entered a baling machine to clear a jam and it became energized.
 

Charles Adkins, OSHA regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo., says, “Resource Management Cos. has a responsibility to ensure that its workers are protected from hazardous working conditions, especially ones related to dangerous equipment such as baling machines. Employers are required by law to ensure that work environments are safe and healthful. OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job, especially when employers fail to do so.”
 

OSHA says 22 serious safety violations have been cited, including the company failing to lock out and tag out the energy sources of equipment and install adequate machine guarding. The violations also involve hazards related to fall protection, exits, flammable liquids, fire extinguishers, powered industrial trucks and welding and electrical equipment. Additionally, the company was cited for eight serious health violations. 
 

OSHA also cited the company with one repeat safety violation relating to defective powered industrial trucks that were not taken out of service. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. The company was cited in April 2010 for a similar violation. 

 

OSHA has proposed a fine of $195,930. More information is available at www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/ResourceMgt_315652776_1206_11.pdf.