OSHA has cited TimkenSteel Corp. for 12 serious violations carrying $77,000 in fines, after inspecting the company’s three Canton, Ohio, plants.
OSHA, which launched the inspections after receiving employee complaints about unsafe working conditions, alleges that TimkenSteel exposed workers to amputation and fall hazards.
“OSHA hopes to continue to work with corporate safety representatives and the United Steelworkers to address these safety issues proactively and ensure workers are protected on the job,” said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland.
Based on a May inspection at the company’s Gambrinus Steel Plant, OSHA cited TimkenSteel for two serious violations for failure to guard floor holes and for missing guardrails on platforms that exposed workers to fall hazards of approximately eight feet.
After a July inspection of the company's Faircrest Steel Plant, OSHA cited the company for seven serious citations, for failure to guard cranes and crane trolley runways, which exposed workers to fall hazards of approximately 40 feet.
Based on a September inspection of the company’s Dueber Avenue plant, OSHA issued three citations for serious violations, alleging that workers were exposed to moving machinery parts during service and maintenance.
Timken Steel, a spinoff of Canton-based Timken Co., manufactures large steel bars and seamless mechanical tubing.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply or contest OSHA’s findings.