The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Evanston-based Spartech Plastics LLC with 16 serious safety violations for allegedly exposing employees to unguarded machinery and electrical shock hazards, and for failing to protect workers from fall hazards, said the Department in a prepared statement issued today, Sept. 21. Proposed penalties total $54,500, said the Department.
As a result of an inspection that began in March, OSHA issued the serious citations for failing to provide proper training on lockout and tagout of energy sources, conduct required inspections of forklifts, provide required guardrails on work platforms and stairwells, and implement lockout and tagout procedures for electrical equipment, said the Department. An OSHA violation is serious if death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists, the Department added.
Spartech Plastics LLC, which employs about 100 workers at its Evanston location, also received one other-than-serious violation for failing to have covers on electrical equipment openings, said the Department.
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.