Wisconsin Lumber Company Fined by OSHA For Fatal Incident

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Pukall Lumber Company Inc. in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin was fined nearly $350,000 in penalties by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) authorities, following incidents which led to the death of an employee in January this year, after getting trapped in an outdoor bark conveyor belt at the mill.

OSHA cited the company for two willful violations for failing to implement necessary energy control procedures and ensuring adequate guarding for the conveyor to help prevent the employees from coming into direct contact with the moving parts. It also cited Pukall Lumber Company Inc. for 13 serious violations that primarily refer to exposure of employees to machine and other hazards. It has placed the company in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program, on account of repeated demonstrated indifference to OSH Act obligations.

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Robert J. Bonack, OSHA Area Director noted that such tragedies are preventable when employers strictly comply with the outlined safety standards. The facilities must be evaluated regularly by the employers. In addition, they must ensure that supervisors provide necessary training to employees on the correct use of safety controls and equipment. This will help to prevent injuries and fatalities, he said.

Pukall Lumber Company now has 15 business days from the receipt of the citations and penalties to meet with OSHA’s area director, comply with or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.