Following the death of a worker inside a machine used to sort recyclables, OSHA has fined a Marietta, OH, company $186,300 for a total of 21 violations.

The fines issued to Marietta Industrial Enterprises include two willful citations for failing to implement lockout/tagout procedures to prevent equipment from becoming unexpectedly energized and to train workers in lockout/tagout procedures.

An additional 14 serious violations include failure to:

• provide machine guarding
• provide adequate guardrails
• evaluate the workplace to determine if there were any confined spaces that would require permits
• examine powered industrial trucks before each shift, and
• develop an exposure control plan for bloodborne pathogens.

OSHA also issued five other-than-serious citations to the recycling company, including one for failing to record work-related injuries.

On March 30, 2011, David Lightfritz was using a forklift to drop recyclable items into the sorting machine when he apparently fell in. Lightfritz was alone at the time. Another worker found him soon after the fall.

Lightfritz was pronounced dead at the scene.

The separator is about 20 feet long. It has rotating parts inside that divide recyclables by size.

As a result of the investigation, Marietta has been placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program. Companies in the program can expect follow-up inspections from OSHA.

Marietta has 15 business days after it receives the citations to decide whether to appeal them.

Tags: lockout/tagout, Marietta Industrial Enterprises, recycling machine, Severe Violator Enforcement Program