Recent federal safety inspections of a northern Wisconsin foundry determined workplace safety failures caused two workers to suffer severe injuries. The business faces a proposed $200,895 in penalties.
In May, a worker at Waupaca Foundry Inc. in Marninette lost two fingers to amputation and in July, an overhead hot metal carrier struck and injured another worker.
While the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration was investigating the May 4 incident, the agency opened a second scheduled inspection under its National Emphasis Program for Primary Metals. Inspectors found violations related to exposures to respirable crystalline silica and noise. During the course of the second inspection, the employer reported the July 17 injury to inspectors, which led to a third inspection.
OSHA determined a lack of energy control procedures – commonly known as lockout/tagout – exposed workers to hazards in both incidents.
After completing the three inspections, OSHA issued one willful, seven serious and five other-than-serious violations to Waupaca Foundry.
“Foundries are inherently dangerous industrial operations, where workers are exposed to hazards from machinery, trips and falls, occupational noise, and respirable silica,” said OSHA Area Director Robert Bonack in Appleton. “Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers.”
Owned by Hitachi Metals, Waupaca Foundry Inc. is a supplier of iron castings to the automotive, commercial vehicle, agriculture, construction and industrial markets. Headquartered in Waupaca, the company employs approximately 4,500 people in Waupaca and Marinette; Tell City, Indiana; and Etowah, Tennessee.
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