NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited BMC Building Materials and Construction Services Inc. with seven serious violations for exposing workers to electrical and machine guarding hazards at the company’s work site in New Braunfels. Proposed penalties total $41,000.
OSHA began its safety inspection on Oct. 3 at the company’s facility on FM 482 where workers were building prefabricated wood trusses without the required machine guarding. The inspection was conducted in response to a complaint about unsafe working conditions and machine hazards.
“The lack of machine guarding can lead to serious injuries, including amputations,” said Casey Perkins, OSHA’s area director in Austin. “OSHA’s standards must be followed to prevent accidents, injuries and illnesses.”
The serious violations include failing to provide machine guarding while operating saws, ensure that rotating shafts on machines are covered, ensure that electrical wiring is protected and ensure electrical cords are maintained in safe condition. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
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