Region 6 News Release: 11-1091-DAL
July 26, 2011
Contact: Elizabeth Todd Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites AMF Bowling in
Addison, Texas, following worker fatality

ADDISON, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited AMF Bowling Centers Inc. for three serious and three repeat violations following the death of a worker at the company's 300 Dallas facility on Belt Line Road in Addison. OSHA's Dallas Area Office initiated an inspection Feb 21, after receiving a report that a worker was fatally injured from being caught in a pinsetter machine while clearing a jam.

"This company failed to install the required machine guarding on the pinsetter machine," said Stephen Boyd, OSHA's area director in Dallas. "If OSHA's standards had been followed, it is possible that this tragedy could have been avoided."

The serious violations involve failing to conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures; ensure fixed stairs were provided for access from one structural level to another; and ensure employees were protected from falling into the pinsetter machines by providing a guardrail system around the machines or a personal fall arrest system. 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.

The repeat violations involve failing to provide machine guarding; provide guards for pulleys that were 7 feet or less from the floor; and ensure that flexible cords were connected to devices and fittings so tension would not be transmitted to the joints or terminal screws. 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. OSHA cited the company in January 2007 and June 2008 for similar violations. Proposed penalties total $112,600.

OSHA's machine guarding standard was the 10th most frequently cited standard in 2010. Information about machine guarding can be found at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/machineguarding/index.html.

The company, which employs about 52 workers at the Addison facility, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Dallas or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions about workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Dallas office at 214-320-2400. 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.