A serious OSHA violation can earn a fine of up to $12,675. When the number of citations OSHA issues to a single company reaches well into double digits, the employer can expect a huge fine.
OSHA has fined Carthage Specialty Paperboard Inc. of Carthage, NY, $357,445 for 61 violations. OSHA initiated the inspection in response to a complaint alleging unsafe working conditions.
Carthage was fined for:
more than 20 instances of machinery lacking guards to prevent employees from the risk of amputation
machinery didn’t have safety locks to prevent the accidental start-up of machinery during maintenance
employees didn’t receive required training or personal protective equipment (PPE) to work on electrical systems with up to 2,300 volts
catwalks didn’t have restraints to help protect employees from falls, some as high as 13 feet
employees entered confined spaces without prior atmospheric testing or means to rescue people overcome by fumes, and
workers were exposed to struck-by hazards when the company failed to inspect cranes and hoists.
