Pennsylvania Foundry Fined for Safety Violations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Domestic Casting Co. LLC with what it calls three repeat violations and one serious safety violation at its iron foundry in Shippensburg, Pa. According to a news release from OSHA, the agency’s proposed penalties total $49,000.

The repeat violations involve unguarded machinery and live electrical parts. The company was cited for the same violations in 2011, according to OSHA. The violation termed serious stems from the company's failure to ensure that an open-sided walkway on a mixer dump belt was guarded with a standard railing to prevent employees from falling into the wet bucket elevator. A serious OSHA 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, according to the agency.

Domestic Casting, a gray and ductile iron foundry, has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.