Sep. 15, 2006 — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $235,000 in fines against specialty metal forgings manufacturer A. Finkl & Sons Co., Chicago, for alleged willful and serious violations of workplace safety and health standards.

OSHA opened its inspection in March 2006 after receiving a formal complaint related to an alleged lack of safety inspections and possible oil leaks in forging equipment. As a result of the investigation, OSHA has issued citations alleging three willful and seven serious violations of federal workplace safety and health regulations.

The alleged willful violations addressed hazards associated with lack of guardrails and/or covers for open pits, vats, tanks and similar hazardous openings, failure to perform necessary maintenance on hydraulic forging presses that leaked hydraulic oil, and for safety issues involving powered industrial trucks. The alleged serious violations included fall protection, personal protective equipment issues, electrical hazards, and guarding of moving belts.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.