OSHA cites North Haven, Conn., firearms manufacturer, for machine hazards

Widespread machine guarding and lockout/tagout hazards at North Haven, Conn., a manufacturer of small firearms, resulted in them being cited by OSHA resulting in $42,850 in penalties. Following a comprehensive OSHA inspection that began March 3, the Marlin Firearms Co. has been cited for a total of 24 alleged serious and other-than-serious violations of workplace safety standards.

OSHA identified various spots where workers were exposed to possible lacerations, amputation and crushing injuries from unguarded moving parts of mechanical power presses and other machinery as well as a lack of specific procedures to prevent the accidental startup of numerous machines during set-up, maintenance and repair. The inspection also found electrical, fall and compressed air hazards as well as improperly recorded injuries and illnesses.

"Workers can lose their fingers, limbs or lives in a few seconds if a machine starts up unexpectedly or its moving parts are not guarded against contact," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport. "There is no reason for those injuries to occur if the employer ensures the proper safeguards are effectively and continuously in place and in use."

Sources:
www.osha.gov