Ohio Manufacturer Settles Health, Safety Violations Case for $1M

An Ohio auto parts manufacturer has agreed to a settlement that includes a $1 million penalty resulting from workplace health and safety violations, federal safety officials said.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said in addition to the penalty, the auto parts manufacturer Sunfield Inc. is required to hire a safety and health coordinator to resolve violations found at the company’s Hebron plant.

OSHA investigated the facility in January and February 2016 after two employees suffered severe injuries when they came in contact with moving machine parts. The inspection found that the company lacked adequate power press guarding and hazardous energy control procedures that could have prevented the incidents.

Sunfield has agreed to revise die-change procedures, develop a program for ensuring installed light curtains and interlocks are functioning properly prior to each shift, work with third-party auditors to complete a safety and health audit of its facility, and meet quarterly with OSHA staff to assure implementation of this agreement.