Region 5 News Release: 11-1267-CHI
Sept. 1, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4807
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Anchor Hocking in Lancaster, Ohio,
for 12 safety violations after maintenance employee suffers amputation injury

LANCASTER, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Anchor Hocking LLC, a glass products manufacturer in Lancaster, for 12 safety violations. OSHA opened an investigation after a March 18 incident in which a worker's right index finger became caught in the sleeve of the glass former press stem while he was performing maintenance and was amputated. Workers had not been trained in recommended "lockout/tagout" procedures for isolating the energy sources of machines to prevent their accidental operation. Anchor Hocking LLC faces $113,800 in proposed fines for the violations.

"Failure to implement and train employees in lockout/tagout procedures when performing maintenance on machinery is unacceptable and can have terrible consequences, as in this case," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus. "Employers have a responsibility to ensure work environments are healthful and safe, which includes providing appropriate training and implementing safety procedures to protect workers."

Two repeat violations involve failing to annually inspect lockout/tagout procedures and to protect employees from falls off of an open-sided work platform. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. In December 2007, Anchor Hocking was cited for the same violations at the Lancaster facility.

Five serious violations involve failing to document and train employees in adequate lockout/tagout procedures, failing to affix locks to hold isolation devices in the safe or "off" position, failing to protect workers from falls due to floor holes and using flexible cords as a substitute for fixed wiring. 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.

Five other-than-serious violations involve failing to maintain the OSHA 300 log of work-related injuries and illnesses for 2010; adequately record injuries in the OSHA logs for 2008, 2009 and 2011; and record an injury within seven days of notification. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

The Anchor Hocking citations are available at, http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/AnchorHockingLLC_314592213_0831_11.pdf*

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Columbus Area Office at 614-469-5582. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

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, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

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