OSHA has cited a manufacturer of railroad ties, with 16 safety violations, including one willful, following the crushing death of a worker who was caught in a machine. The willful violation is failing to install guards to prevent access to the rotating and moving parts of a pre-plate boring machine used to drill holes into railroad ties. Twelve serious violations involve:
- conduct inspections of energy control procedures,
- develop lockout/tagout procedures to prevent unplanned energizing of the pre-plate machine when it was being serviced,
- mark permit-required confined spaces,
- evaluate the ability to respond to a rescue if needed
Due to the willful violation and the nature of the hazards, OSHA has placed the business in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law.