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MIOSHA Fines
Knape & Vogt of Grand Rapids $134,310 for Failure to Protect
Employees from Serious Safety Hazards
Michigan
Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) Director Keith
W. Cooley today announced the Michigan Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (MIOSHA) has cited Knape & Vogt Manufacturing
Company of Grand Rapids with $134,310 in proposed penalties for
allegedly failing to adequately protect employees from serious
safety hazards.
"Conditions
found during the MIOSHA inspection were very serious. It is imperative
that Knape & Vogt correct the serious hazards which are endangering
their employees," said DLEG Director Keith W. Cooley. "They
must fulfill their obligations under the MIOSHA Act and provide
a safe and healthy work environment for their employees."
In 2005,
the MIOSHA General Industry Safety and Health Division conducted
a planned, wall-to-wall inspection at the Knape & Vogt site
that resulted in 13 Serious and four Other-than-Serious violations,
with a total penalty of $16,875. As part of their settlement
agreement, the company abated all violations.
Between March
26, and April 23, 2007, MIOSHA conducted a reinspection at the
same location and found that the firm failed to maintain their
workplace from unsafe conditions. In addition, the company was
cited for a lockout violation that resulted in a finger amputation
because a plate was changed without proper lockout protections.
The firm was cited for 11 Repeat Serious violations.
The alleged
Repeat Serious violations included: failure to guard pinch points
and point of operation; failure to guard floor, wall, stairways
and platform openings; failure to guard belts and pulleys; failure
to guard gears; failure to guard mechanical power press; failure
to provide proper safety distance for light curtains on mechanical
power press; failure to train mechanical power press operators;
failure to cover live electrical; failure to develop a procedure
for control of hazardous energy sources (lockout/tagout); and
failure to obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed.
Citation
Summary:
11 Repeat Serious Violations - Proposed Penalty $110,000
8 Serious Violations - Proposed Penalty $ 23,950
15 Other-than-serious Violations - Proposed Penalty 0
1 Repeat Other-than-serious Violation - Proposed Penalty $360
Total Proposed Penalties - $134,310
A Repeat
violation is a violation of the same rule within three years.
A Serious violation exists where there is a substantial probability
that serious physical harm or death can result to an employee.
An Other-than-Serious violation is a condition that would probably
not cause death or serious physical harm but would have a direct
and immediate relationship to the safety and health of employees.
MIOSHA scheduled
inspections target establishments with high injury/illness rates
and a high incidence of lost workday cases, based on Michigan
data. The intent of the scheduled inspections is to identify
hazardous conditions, so that the hazards can be corrected before
injuries and illnesses occur.
MIOSHA reinspects
workplaces where a comprehensive planned inspection has taken
place, with at least five serious hazards identified and corrected.
The objective is to determine whether safety and health measures
put in place are being maintained. This fiscal year, MIOSHA has
reinspected 77 companies and 35 have maintained or improved their
safety and health environment. These 35 companies have received
a "Certificate of Recognition" to acknowledge their
proactive efforts.
"Taking
the time to follow MIOSHA regulations can not only protect workers-it
can greatly enhance a company's bottom line," said MIOSHA
Director Doug Kalinowski. "Successful Michigan companies
have shown that a strong safety and health program contributes
to increased production, improved quality and greater profits."
Knape &
Vogt Manufacturing Co. designs, manufactures and distributes
functional hardware, storage-related components, and ergonomic
products for original equipment manufactures, specialty distributors,
office furniture dealers, hardware chains and major home centers
throughout the country. Knape & Vogt employs about 600 workers,
and specializes in high speed metal stamping, roll forming, finishing
and assembly processes.
The company
has 15 working days from receipt of the citations and notices
to comply or contest the violations and penalties. (Attached
is a Summary of Violations.)
Source: MIOSHA News Release 7/19/07
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