Among the highest priorities for maintenance and engineering managers is regulatory compliance, especially with federal safety laws designed to protect employees in the workplace. Failing to comply puts workers’ lives at risk, as one California facility is finding out.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued notices of safety violations to the U.S. Army Reserve 63 Regional Support Command at a Sacramento maintenance facility, according to Manufacturing.net.
The notices were issued after a federal civilian employee was killed when the automated lifting mechanism of a utility vehicle cargo box failed and pinned him between the bed and the vehicle frame. OSHA investigators determined that there was not an adequate hazardous energy control program in place and failed to provide required injury and illness records to OSHA in a timely manner.
The command center has 15 business days from receipt of the notices to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before an independent commission.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers must provide safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.
Dan Hounsell is editor-in-chief of Facility Maintenance Decisions, and Facilitiesnet.com.
