Company Cited, Fined $341K After Fatality at Texas Tire Retreading Facility

A Mississippi company faces more than $341,000 in penalties for failing to protect employees from serious safety hazards, a practice that led to a worker’s death at a plant in Texas, federal safety officials say.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Southern Tire Mart LLC – based in Columbia, Mississippi – after a worker suffered fatal injuries while attempting to mount a monster truck tire rim at the company’s retreading facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The company faces $341,195 in fines.

OSHA inspectors determined the company exposed employees to struck-by, tire explosion, fire, and smoke hazards, and failed to provide a restraining device or barrier, and implement lockout/tagout procedures, as required.

OSHA cited Southern Tire Mart for 17 violations, two of which are covered under OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Amputations.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citation 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.

OSHA announced the citation on June 14.

Source: OSHA

Topics Texas Workers' Compensation