Illinois plant fined after workplace accident

On behalf of Jeffrey Frederick of Frederick & Hagle posted in Workplace Accidents on Friday, November 8, 2013.

A facility that produces metal sheeting came under fire from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration following an explosion at the plant, according to local sources. The Illinois-based Northstar Metal Products has been fined after the workplace accident hospitalized at least two employees. These citations come after a months-long investigation.

According to records, on Apr. 1 of this year, an explosion in a dust collector unit caused a raging fire at the company’s Glendale location. OSHA says this directly contributed to the injury of two employees, one of whom sustained serious burns to his face and hands. An investigation into the health and safety protocols of the facility was launched, and a decision was reached several months later, on Oct. 31.

OSHA has cited Northstar Metal with no fewer than 11 different citations related to their health and safety standards. The major citation most directly related to the accident was a failure to implement procedures of control for hazardous materials — a citation that had come up before, in 2011. The other 10 citations were varied, including a failure to abide by various standards, to provide fall protection, the proper maintenance of fire extinguishers and a host of other issues. The company has been penalized by extensive fines.

A workplace accident is ultimately the responsibility of the company to take steps to prevent or correct if necessary. The workers injured in this particular accident are likely entitled to workers’ compensation insurance benefits for their injuries. They may gain by investigating their rights as workers under Illinois law in this instance, as well as by gaining an understanding of applicable procedures to perfect a claim for benefits..

Source: tasco-safety.com, OSHA fines Illinois metal sheet facility following plant explosion, No author, Nov. 5, 2013