Toledo firm fined $12,675 in fatal machine-shop accident
OSHA cites 2nd company over fall-safety violations
5/30/2017The employer of an Oregon man who was killed in December while operating a machine shop lathe has been fined after an investigation by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The agency said Meldrum Mechanical Services, 4455 South Ave., had failed to ensure guarding was in place on one of its automated lathes.
Authorities previously said David Brewer, 49, was killed Dec. 1 when he became entangled in the lathe. An incident report prepared by OSHA said Mr. Brewer was alone in the machine shop when the incident happened about 5 p.m. A co-worker who returned to the shop to check on Mr. Brewer found his body atop the lathe.
Though no one witnessed the accident, OSHA said investigators could see part of what happened from security video. The agency said the interlock doors, which should close when the lathe is spinning, had been disabled.
Meldrum Mechanical Services was cited for a “serious” workplace safety violation and fined $12,675 by OSHA.
OSHA also recently issued a fine of $33,740 to a Toledo construction company after violations were found at a commercial roofing job on Laskey Road in Toledo.
Investigators said that SNS Absolute Construction LLC, 2095 Auburn Ave., had failed to provide fall protection for employees and did not keep proper records to verify employees had received training on fall protection and fall hazards. Investors also observed improper ladder use.
OSHA cited the company for one “serious” and three “repeat” safety violations. Absolute Construction had been cited before for not using fall protection.
Both companies can contest the findings and fines, if they choose to do so.