OSHA fines 4 northwest Ohio companies $110K for safety violations

3/21/2018

Four northwest Ohio companies were fined a combined $110,957 after officials from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration found multiple safety violations during inspections between September and January at operations or work sites used by the four companies.

Creative Polymers LLC was fined $39,173 after 15 Serious category violations were found at its operations in the village of Bloomdale in Wood County following a Sept. 13-15 inspection. The violations included no safety gear or other protections provided for using hot plastic pellet-making machines, no procedures for safely cleaning the machinery, no training for forklift drivers, a lack of guarding devices to prevent injury on various machinery, exposure to electrical hazards, no lockout-tagout for certain machines, and no training for employees charged with fixing electrical problems.

Kay Toledo Tag Inc., of 6050 Benore Rd., was fined $37,509 after OSHA inspectors found six Serious category violations at its north Toledo plant where it makes tags and labels for various industries.

During the inspection, which occurred on Sept. 7, OSHA officials found a lack of safety procedures, including lockout-tagout for a wire machine. One employee suffered lacerations to his hand while unjamming and rethreading the wire machine, causing blood hazard exposure to employees who later cleaned the area.

T. Davis Contractors LLC, of 434 W. Third St., Perrysburg, was fined $21,341 after inspectors visiting a work site at 3130 Central Park West on Jan. 9 found a Repeat category violation — employees working on an elevated area without guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems. The company was cited for the same violation on June 14, 2015, at a work site in Perrysburg.

Lastly, Advanced Roofing Services, of 205 W. Sophia St., Maumee, was fined $12,934 after inspectors found two Serious category violations on Nov. 21 at a worksite at 5555 Central Ave. The company was involved in demolition operations of a structure, and prior to the start it did not determine if a flat roof walked upon by employees was strong enough to safely support their weight. Also, OSHA said an engineering survey was not made to determine the condition of the framing, floors, and walls to determine if an unplanned collapse of any portion of the structure was likely.

The companies can pay the fines, contest them, or schedule a meeting with OSHA to request they be reduced.

Contact Jon Chavez at jchavez@theblade.com or 419-724-6128.