A manufacturer of industrial machinery has been cited for repeatedly exposing workers to amputation and other serious hazards at its Hudson, Ohio facility.

A worker complaint brought OSHA inspectors to Kobelco Stewart Bolling, Inc., where they found, among other hazards, repeat violations of machine guarding standards, which protect workers from lacerations, caught-in and amputation hazards.

"Failing to protect workers from dangerous machinery is among the most frequently cited OSHA violations and injuries involving machinery and equipment often result in death or permanent disability," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Employers who are cited for repeat violations demonstrate a lack of commitment to employee safety and health."

The company faces $139,000 in proposed penalties.

Three repeat violations were cited for: inadequate lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers who service or maintain machines from moving machinery parts, exposing workers to unguarded equipment and not labeling chemical containers. The company was cited for similar violations in 2011.

Six serious violations involved failing to review lockout/tagout devices annually, storing flammable liquids in an exit path, lack of fire extinguisher training, not identifying and providing the correct chemical resistant gloves to be worn, and failing to train workers on personal protective equipment.

Kobelco Stewart Bolling was also cited for four other-than-serious violations involving failing to certify and date the workplace hazard assessment, guard machinery, inspect cranes daily and maintain a chemical inventory list.

To view the current citations see: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/KobelcoStewartBolling_948383_0513_14.pdf*