September 15, 2006-- The U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a $235,000 against metal forger A. Finkl & Sons in Chicago.
The fines stem from a March 2006 inspection after receiving a formal complaint to an alleged lack of safety inspections and possible oil leaks in forging equipment.
Investigators cited Finkl for three willful and seven serious violations of federal workplace safety and health regulations. The willful violations were based on lack of guardrails and/or covers for open pits, vats, tanks, and other hazardous openings. The alleged serious violations concern fall protection, personal protective equipment issues, electrical hazards, and guarding of moving belts.
Finkl has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal. In August, A. Finkl reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on alleged clean-air violations at the same plant. The company agreed to install two environmental projects totaling $620,000 and to pay a $75,000 fine.