Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Seagrave Fire Apparatus faces up to $77,000 in fines for three safety violations.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a news release this week that investigators found the Clintonville company did not have guards in place, exposing workers to operating parts of press brakes; employees were exposed to fall hazards of about 12 feet from working on top of trucks; and potable water was not available at all work sites.
“Fire trucks play an important role in keeping people safe, but the workers manufacturing these trucks were placed in harms way because their employer didn’t have safety guards to protect them from moving machine parts,” Robert Bonack, OSHA’s area director in Appleton, said in the press release. “Thousands of workers suffer lacerations, amputations and fractures each year because they’re injured by operating machinery.”
The $77,000 in penalties is due 15 days after receipt of the letter, and the first correction deadline is Sept. 12.
Seagrave has three options. It can discuss the citations with an OSHA representative and seek changes to the penalties or deadlines; agree with the citations and penalties and make corrections by the deadlines; or contest the citation, penalties and correction deadlines.
Seagrave could not be reached for comment.