Region 5 News Release: 11-1725-CHI
Dec. 14, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Lange Grinding in Streetsboro, Ohio,
for 33 safety violations after worker injured by falling piece of steel

STREETSBORO, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Lange Grinding Inc. for 33 safety violations at the company's Streetsboro facility, where finishing operations are performed for various manufacturers. An inspection was initiated July 22 after a worker sustained a serious injury to his left arm caused by a piece of falling steel when a lifting magnet malfunctioned and dropped a load weighing approximately 2,900 pounds. Proposed fines total $54,600.

"Failing to ensure equipment such as lifting magnets is working correctly puts workers at an unnecessary safety risk in a highly hazardous industry," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Employers have a responsibility to recognize the hazards that exist in their facilities and take necessary precautions to protect workers' safety and health."

Lange Grinding has been cited for 30 serious violations. Those specifically related to the incident include the lack of a load rating for the lifting magnet and the lack of protection on the toggle switch of the magnet's control panel. Other violations include failing to guard open-sided floors and exposed stairways, inspect ladders and remove a defective ladder from service, implement a lockout program for the energy sources of equipment, train lift truck operators on safe operating procedures and to inspect lift trucks before use, inspect overhead cranes, inspect slings and fastening attachments, remove defective slings from service, provide adequate machine guarding, store compressed gas cylinders safely, control electrical hazards and provide a comprehensive program to inform employees about hazardous substances. 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.

Additionally, Lange Grinding has been cited for three other-than-serious violations for failing to label building structures with load ratings, perform a hazard assessment to determine the need for personal protective equipment and conduct fire extinguisher training. 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.

Lange Grinding 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.

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 Cleveland Area Office at 216-615-4266.

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.