Illinois Lighting Company Faces $85K in OSHA Penalties for Worker Injuries

Federal workplace safety officials have cited an Illinois lighting manufacturer with workplace safety violations and imposed $85,000 in penalties after an employee suffered severe facial burns.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said a master maintenance technician for North American Lighting Inc. suffered severe facial burns when pressurized material in a plastic molding machine exploded at the company’s Paris, Ill., facility..

An OSHA investigation found that North American Lighting Inc. lacked energy control procedures to protect workers during maintenance work, a process known as lockout/tagout.

OSHA also found that the company failed to review and test its lockout/tagout procedures annually for effectiveness, and ensure employees used eye and face protection.

OSHA cited the company for one repeat violation and three serious violations of machine safety standards and requirements for personal protective equipment.

The agency cited the company for similar violations in 2019 at the same facility and proposed $85,826 in penalties. Lack of machine safety procedures is the fourth most frequently cited OSHA violation.

A subsidiary of the Koito Group of Tokyo, North American Lighting Inc. manufactures automotive lighting systems at eight facilities nationwide.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations 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.

Source: OSHA