September 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Wisconsin Company
For Exposing Employees to Machine Hazards

NIAGARA, WI ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Koller Industries ‒ operating as Aurora Castings Services ‒ for continually exposing employees to machine hazards at the facility in Niagara, Wisconsin. The company faces $ 206,291 in penalties.

OSHA cited Aurora Castings for failing to use guards on bench and grinder stands, train employees on lockout/tagout procedures and properly set grinder tongue and work rest adjustments; exposing employees to hazards associated with grinding wheel breakage; allowing employees to use damaged flexible electrical cords, and not properly covering electrical openings. OSHA cited the company for similar machine hazards following a November 2015 inspection.

“The failure to properly test grinding wheels for defects, and use machine guarding and safety procedures exposes employees to serious injuries,” said OSHA Area Director Robert Bonack, in Appleton, Wisconsin. “Employers should develop a comprehensive safety and health program to ensure that workers are provided a safe and healthful workplace.”

The company contested the citations and will now appear before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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 help 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 https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

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Media Contacts:

Scott Allen, 312-353-4727, allen.scott@dol.gov
Rhonda Burke, 312-353-6976, burke.rhonda@dol.gov

Release Number: 19-1548-CHI

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The Department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).