Injection molder Plastic Components Inc. has been fined $121,700 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for allegedly having improper machine guarding, obstructing emergency exits and not requiring employees to wear protective gear.
The North Ridgeville company said in a news release it was ``shocked'' by the fines proposed by OSHA because it said it corrected many of the hazards immediately.
OSHA's Toledo, Ohio, office brought the charges July 13. The agency said its investigators ``determined that injury trends indicated a high incidence of hand and finger lacerations.''
The company was charged with 11 serious violations and two willful violations. The serious violations include improper machine guarding and forklift operation, while the more severe, willful charges are for blocked emergency exits, work areas and aisles.
``We cooperated fully with their investigation and abated many of the alleged hazards immediately upon learning of their existence,'' said PCI President David Guerini.
``Plastic Components Inc. has been in business for 29 years and has never had an OSHA issue that was not resolved quickly.''
PCI said it was disappointed it was not allowed to review OSHA's report before the agency announced the charges. The company has 15 days to contest the allegations.
