The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited American Walnut Company LLC for two repeated and 14 serious safety violations after an employee fatality prompted an inspection. An employee was killed at their St. Joseph sawmill site in Missouri when he fell into a machine on March 12, 2018.

Officials proposed penalties of $199, 183 to the company. The company failed to evaluate job hazards, control hazardous energy and ensure machines were equipped with the adequate guards. They received a serious citation for failing to provide a worksite free from electrical hazards that could cause serious harm or even death to employees. Other serious citations addressed fall hazards and struck-by hazards as well as a failure to ensure employees were wearing hearing protection. They received a repeat violation for failing to protect employees from amputation hazards while performing grading work or operating the Band Saw. They received another repeat violation for failing to ensure walkways and other walking-working surfaces were kept free of debris, inspectors measured several areas in the workplace where several inches of wood dust had accumulated. Check out the full list of citations here.

“Employers must continually evaluate job hazards and ensure safety guards are in use to protect workers from known hazards in their facilities,” said OSHA Kansas City Area Office Director Karena Lorek. “Employers and workers with questions on OSHA standards can contact OSHA for guidance on creating an effective safety and health program.”

Noise hazards observed by initial inspectors warranted a follow-up inspection in April, which found that the company exposed workers to hazards from combustible dust, noise and chemical use.

Read the news release from OSHA here.