Cal/OSHA has cited a foundry $283,390 for workplace safety and health violations following a confined space accident that resulted in the amputation of an employee’s legs. Cal/OSHA cited the Foundry of similar breaches eight (8) years ago. On August 28, two workers at the factory were cleaning and unjamming a 38-foot long auger screw conveyor at the bottom hopper of an industrial air filtration device without effectively de-energizing or locking out the equipment. One of the workers re-entered the 20-inch square opening after the cleaning was done to retrieve a work light from inside the confined space when a maintenance worker 45 feet away from energized the equipment to perform a test. The moving auger screw pulled the worker into the screw conveyor. Both his legs had to be amputated to free him.
Cal/OSHA’s investigation found that:
- The foundry did not have the permit-required confined space program.
- The screw conveyor was not de-energized and locked out before workers entered the hopper, and accident prevention signs were not placed on the controls.
- A confined space attendant did not monitor the worker re-entering the hopper.
- Alhambra Foundry lacked specific procedures for de-energizing and locking out the equipment.
Cal/OSHA issued eight citations with proposed penalties totaling $283,390. The eight violations cited included one severe willful accident- related, one willful serious, four serious, one willful general and one general in nature.
The citation for a willful accident-related severe violation was issued because the foundry had been cited eight years prior for failing to take appropriate measures to protect workers performing cleaning and servicing operations.
