OSHA Cites Pallet Recycler for Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Ifco Systems’ pallet recycling facility in Henderson, Colo., with one repeat and five serious citations for improper machine guarding. The fine followed an inspection conducted by OSHA. The federal agency is proposing a penalty of $67,765.

Ifco has more than 210 locations worldwide. The company has 15 days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

In a release, Herb Gibson, OSHA’s area director in Denver, says, "Machine guarding is at the heart of preventing amputation injuries. Many of these hazards could have been corrected if the employer had an effective safety and health management system, which would identify hazards in the workplace, and reduce the likelihood of injuries and illnesses."

According to an OSHA release, the repeat citation, with a penalty of $50,000, was issued for failing to provide adequate machine guarding on a band saw. A repeat citation is issued for companies that have been cited for the same or a similar violation at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. Over the past five years OSHA has issued similar citations to Ifco Systems for violations at its facilities in Smithville, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; and Atlanta.

The citations, with a penalty of $17,765, were issued for failing to develop and implement proper lockout procedures for energy sources; a lack of proper guarding for open-sided floors; a lack of machine guarding on a table saw; and exposing employees to excessive levels of noise. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.