A Houston furniture manufacturer faces more than $100,000 in penalties after heavy machinery crushed and killed a worker in May.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigators found CACO Manufacturing failed to securely anchor or guard machines, didn’t properly identify lock out/tag out devices used to prevent sudden start-up or movement of machine parts, lacked energy control procedures and failed to train employees on hazardous chemicals present in the workplace.
As a result, the commercial furniture manufacturer was issued 14 serious and six other citations.
CACO manufactures commercial furniture for the service industry, amusement parks, military installations, retail stores and universities.
"A worker's life ended tragically because CACO Manufacturing failed to ensure proper safety procedures were followed," said Mark Briggs, OSHA's area director in Houston. "This employer must take responsibility for the safety and health of its employees, and take immediate steps to reduce the dangers of working with heavy machinery and hazardous chemicals."
OSHA has proposed $102,200 in penalties. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.