US Department of Labor investigation finds Hubbard castings company allegedly could have prevented molten metal leak from fatally burning employee
A Hubbard industrial manufacturer allegedly failed to protect their employees from molten metal that was heated to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the U.S. Department of Labor determined after its investigation into how a 30-year-old employee suffered fatal injuries.
Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration learned the employee of Ellwood Engineered Castings Co. was working at the bottom of a pit below the casting operation and found the company allegedly did not have an effective process for containing and managing molten metal leaks.
OSHA also determined the company allegedly did not develop and implement an effective permit-required confined space program to ensure workers could access and exit the mold pit safely, failed to train employees on the hazards in the pit and exposed workers to fall hazards up to 15 feet.
“A worker died needlessly because Ellwood Engineered Castings Co. failed to protect him and his colleagues from obvious and deadly hazards,” said OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts in Cleveland. “The company could have prevented this tragedy being responsible and by following well-known safety measures.”
The agency has cited Ellwood Engineered Castings Co. for 11 alleged serious violations and proposed $145,184 in penalties.
The company had 15 business days from receipt of the 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.
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