Serious injuries at two worksites lead to fines and citations for National Products, Inc.
TUMWATER — A Seattle company that manufactures electronics
mounting systems and other products is facing more than $250,000 in fines for
multiple serious and willful worker safety and health violations.
The state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) recently
cited National Products, Inc. after finding numerous violations during three
separate inspections this year.
L&I opened one of the inspections after a worker was
burned by molten aluminum, and another inspection followed amputation injuries
at another National Products worksite. The inspections identified 26 total
violations including multiple serious and willful violations collectively
resulting in fines totaling $253,320.
“We’ve cited this employer before for several of these very
serious hazards, but the company continues to put its workers at risk,” said
Anne Soiza, L&I’s assistant director for the Division of Occupational
Safety and Health.
The amputations,
which involved several fingers of one worker, occurred in a facility where
there were five trimming presses, each of which was in some sort of disrepair.
Among other problems each machine had an emergency stop button that was either
blocked, missing or in disrepair. Worn out and unaligned springs that made the
operator visually line up levers were a contributing factor in the injury.
The burn injury
happened at another National Products facility where workers were carrying
molten aluminum from one machine to another in ladles slung over their backs,
and they were not wearing proper personal protection equipment.
“Workplace injuries and illnesses are preventable, and many
of these hazards are easy to control,” Soiza said. “L&I offers free tools
and expertise to help Washington employers create safer workplaces so they can
save lives and money. There’s just no excuse for continually putting workers at
risk.”
Since National
Products, Inc. has been cited in the past for similar situations, the company
is now considered a severe violator -- a
designation that carries consequences, such as follow-up inspections at any of
their facilities or sites that could have similar hazards.
The employer
has 15 business days to appeal the citations.
Penalty
money paid as a result of a citation is placed in the workers' compensation
supplemental pension fund, helping injured workers and families of those who
have died on the job.
For a copy of
the citations, please contact Public Affairs at 360-902-5413.
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For media information: Frank Ameduri, L&I Public Affairs, 360-902-5413.
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