The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited woodworking manufacturer Terrill Manufacturing Company Inc. and A.L. Staffing Inc., dba Spherion Staffing, following an inspection of Terrill’s facility in San Angelo, Texas.

OSHA’s investigation found the woodworking manufacturer contracted with A.L. Staffing to provide temporary workers. OSHA began its inspection on Jan. 11, after receiving complaints about amputation hazards. After its investigation, the agency reported that it issued Terrill citations for 18 serious violations including:

• Failing to establish a respiratory protection program.
• Not establish lockout/tagout procedures.
• Failing to lockout and isolate energy sources prior to maintenance or repair of machines.
• Not evaluating powered industrial truck operators every three years as required.
• Allowing rotating rollers, belts, pulleys, sprockets and chains to operate without safety guards.
• Failing to prevent automatic restart of woodworking machines after power failures.
• Not furnishing ripsaws with a spreader, anti-kickback feature and adjustable guards.
• Not providing hazard communication training to employees working with hazardous chemicals.
• Allowing several hazardous electrical risks.

OSHA also issued citations to A.L. Staffing for two serious violations: Allowing workers to operate machine rollers without machine guards, and allowing workers to operate machines without guards to prevent contact with chains and sprockets.

“Industrial machines are very unforgiving and can cause permanent disfigurement if employers fail to cover the moving parts, guard the points of operation and control the energy sources when servicing or repairing the equipment,” said R. Casey Perkins, OSHA’s area director in Austin. “This inspection should serve as a warning to Terrill Manufacturing and A.L. Staffing that they both need to correct these violations before an employee is critically injured.”

Terrill Manufacturing Company faces a total of $58,800 in proposed fines while A.L. Staffing faces $4,800 in fines.

Each company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to respond.