The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has

cited Hussmann Corp for fifteen safety and health violations, comprised of three willful and

twelve serious violations. These citations come in response to an inspection in September of

2014 after an accident led to the death of an employee at a Bridgeton, Mo. facility. The fatality

was a result of a scrap metal table lowering unintentionally, thus pinning the employee. These

violations carry proposed penalties of $272,250.

“This tragic loss could have been prevented,” said Bill McDonald, OSHA’s area director in St.

Louis. “OSHA inspectors found workers at risk of life-threatening hazards because Hussmann

Corp. failed to train its workforce to prevent unintentional operation of dangerous machinery.

This company needs to fix safety procedure deficiencies, so no other family is forced to suffer.”

OSHA investigators cited Hussmann Corp. for three willful violations. These violations were for

not placing devices on machinery to prevent the sudden startup or movement of equipment

during service and maintenance, a procedure known as lockout/tagout. Hussmann also failed to

correct numerous problems related to its lockout/tagout procedures, such as using electronic gate

switches as a substitute for an energy-isolating device.

Hussmann failed to train workers on safety procedures and lacked effective safeguards for

moving parts on machinery. There were unsafe practices related to powered industrial trucks,

including allowing employees to work under a load held aloft by the vehicle, exposing them to

crushed-by hazards. OSHA also cited Hussmann for electrical safety hazards involving cabinets

that were not closed properly to prevent contact with energized wires and using damaged

electrical cables. These were just some of the 12 serious violations which OSHA cited Hussmann

for.

As you can see from this audit, OSHA investigators can and will investigate the entire facility to

find every issue. So it is imperative you update all of your health and safety policies and

procedures whenever your facility changes. If not, you could be exposing your staff to injury and

yourself to hefty fines.

If you have any questions about this case or about updating occupational safety and health

procedures, please contact us. If you have anything to add about the importance of updating all

policies and procedures, please leave a comment.