Apache Mills, Inc, of Calhoun, Georgia, was cited this month for nine violations with the total in proposed penalties equaling $51,000. Out of those nine, five were electrical violations.
A worker’s hand was injected with fluid from a leaking hydraulic line while performing maintenance on a machine at the rubber mat manufacturing plant. He was hospitalized and had to have a shunt put in to drain fluid and reduce swelling.
In addition to violations concerning improper machine guarding and fall hazards, OSHA cited the company with not dielectrically testing the rubber insulative protective gloves on a periodic basis. The proposed fine for this violation is $5000. [CFR 1910.137(c)(2)(viii)]
Employees who worked on or near live electrical parts were not trained in and familiar with safety related work practices. This was a two-part violation which incurred a proposed $7000 fine. [CFR 1910.332(b)(1) and (2)]
The employer failed to enforce safety related work practices to prevent workers from receiving either shock or arc flash/blast injuries – another $7000 proposed fine. The employer also did not provide PPE to workers. This incurred a $5000 proposed fine. [CFR 1910.333(a) and CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i), respectively]
