Texas Company Cited for Amputation Hazards

Trautschold Millwork Ltd. in Waco, Texas, has been cited by federal safety officials for 22 serious and two other-than-serious violations for exposing workers to potential amputations at the company’s worksite in Waco. Penalties proposed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration total $75,525.

OSHA’s Fort Worth Area Office began its inspection of the Franklin Avenue facility on Nov. 16, 2010, as part of the agency’s National Emphasis Program on Amputations. The planned inspection found that employees working on or around hazardous machinery were not properly protected.

The serious violations include failing to provide adequate guarding on hazardous machinery such as sanders, saws, grinders and staple guns; ensure workers were protected from electrical hazards such as explosive proof wiring; provide training for employees who operate forklifts; ensure the use of respiratory and personal protective equipment; and provide a written personal protective equipment hazard assessment.

The other-than-serious violations include failing to meet OSHA’s standards that apply to emergency exits and to provide training on the use of a fire extinguisher.

Trautschold Millwork, which specializes in custom millwork, doors, cabinets and windows, employs about 31 workers. The company has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in Fort Worth or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA