Perrysburg Twp. firm cited again for safety woes

Hinkle Manufacturing faces $61,600 OSHA fine

9/10/2013
BLADE STAFF
Exterior of Hinkle Manufacturing Inc. 5th and D Streets, Ampoint Industrial Park Perrysburg, OH 43551
Exterior of Hinkle Manufacturing Inc. 5th and D Streets, Ampoint Industrial Park Perrysburg, OH 43551

A Perrysburg Township company faces $61,600 in fines after a worker suffered a laceration at its facility in May.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it inspected the Hinkle Manufacturing Inc. plant after a complaint alleging the injury. Details of the injury were not made available.

OSHA cited Hinkle with a willful safety violation for failing to have machine guarding on multiple band saws. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing, or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with indifference to employee safety and health.

Hinkle has 15 business days to pay the fine, request a conference with OSHA officials, or contest the findings. A company official would not say whether the company would pay the fine. “We’re working through the process with OSHA and others to correct any and all issues identified in the citation,” said Mark Lanciano, Hinkle’s head of human resources.

The company was cited for the same violation after a worker had a fingertip amputated by an unguarded band saw in March, 2011.

Hinkle, which is on D Street in the Ampoint Industrial Park, has 95 employees. It makes custom-designed packaging for the auto industry.