OSHA cites Ohio foundry for failing to address safety issues

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that a follow-up inspection it conducted at SanCasT Inc.’s foundry in Coshocton, Ohio, found the company continuing to expose workers to machine and fall hazards.

Jan. 17, 2017, the agency issued the company with three repeated and four serious safety violations. Combined, the proposed penalties could total more than $235,000.

OSHA cited the company for similar violations in 2013 and 2014.

"Companies cited repeatedly for the same safety violations demonstrate a lack of concern for employee safety," says Larry Johnson, OSHA area director in Columbus, Ohio. "Manufacturing facilities need to take a hard look at machinery operations, guarding and safety training to protect employees from injuries on the job."

In its inspection, OSHA found the company:

• failed to develop and implement adequate lockout/tag out procedures and periodically inspect such procedures; 

• exposed workers to live electrical contacts; 

• did not install machine guards; and

• exposed workers to fall hazards because guardrails lacked a top rail and floor holes were not covered.

Based in Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, SanCasT is a subsidiary of Wabtec, which manufactures parts and equipment for locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles.