Safety Officials Fine Illinois Auto Parts Company $114K

A Peoria, Ill., auto parts manufacturer has been fined $114,100 for federal workplace safety violations that the government says put workers at risk of amputation and other injuries.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration says it found 10 health and safety lapses at USA Technologies Inc. in November 2014.

The company has 15 business days to appeal the findings.

Federal inspectors found that workers stamping metal automotive parts at the Peoria plant worked dangerously close to an unguarded robotic welding machine. OSHA also determined that power presses weren’t properly shut down before required repair and maintenance.