OSHA proposes $117,900 in penalties against manufacturer

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed $117,900 in penalties against East Central Machine and Tool Co., in St. Clair, Mo., for alleged safety and health violations.

Following an investigation into an accident in which an employee lost two fingers in a mechanical power press, OSHA inspectors cited one alleged willful and 11 alleged serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The company, according to OSHA, failed to ensure the mechanical power press had an option to select various speed settings among other features.

East Central Machine and Tool Co. has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in St. Louis or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.