Illinois Manufacturer Fined $258K for Exposing Employees to Machine Hazards

An Arcola, Illinois-based manufacturer faces over $258,000 in penalties and numerous citations for violations of federal machine safety standards, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported.

Monahan Filaments LLC was cited after an employee suffered severe injuries. The manufacturer of synthetic filaments for brushes and brooms faces $258, 271 in penalties, and was placed in company in the OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

OSHA received an employer-reported referral from Monahan Filaments after moving machine parts caused fractures and third degree burns to an employee’s hand on Sept. 20, 2019, during production line set-up.

Following the inspection, OSHA cited the company for two willful violations for failure to control hazardous energy sources, and inadequate machine guarding on rotating parts and ingoing nip points. OSHA also cited the company for a repeat violation for not training employees to perform energy control procedures during set-up operations.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

This article was first published by Insurance Journal.

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