Region 6 News Release: 13-253-DAL
Feb. 22, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Todd Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites C & H Die Casting Inc. in Troy,
Texas, for exposing workers to electrical, machine guarding and fall hazards

TROY, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited C & H Die Casting Inc. with 24 alleged serious violations at its aluminum die cast manufacturing facility on Lely Drive in Troy. The safety and health inspections, which began in August 2012, were conducted under OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program that directs enforcement resources to workplaces where the highest rates of injuries and illnesses occur. Proposed penalties total $112,500.

"The numerous violations found at this workplace emphasize the need for every employer to develop a strategy to find and fix hazards to ensure the safety and health of workers," said Casey Perkins, OSHA's area director in Austin. "Fortunately, this inspection process was initiated before any severe injuries took place."

The serious safety violations include failing to provide the required machine guarding for saws and covers on rotating belts and pulleys and ensure electrical wiring is properly installed and electrical cords are properly maintained. Additionally, slip, trip and fall hazards were cited due to wet floors, uncovered floor holes and failing to provide fall protection equipment for workers climbing machinery during repairs. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Hazards associated with unprotected machinery, such as saw blades, rotating belts and pulleys, can often be controlled. Information on machine guarding and amputation hazards is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/machineguarding/index.html.

The citations can be viewed at
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CandHDieCastingInc_595818_02_22_13.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CandHDieCastingInc_691078_02_22_13.pdf.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's Austin area office or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Austin office at 512-374-0271.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 292-693-7828 or TTY 292-693-7755.

* Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.