The US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found that Gerresheimer Glass Inc., a medical glass manufacturer in Chicago Heights, continues to neglect machine safety procedures, putting its workers at risk. Following a recent workplace safety inspection, OSHA issued repeat violations to the company for failing to adequately train employees in machine safety procedures.
According to OSHA, Gerresheimer Glass Inc. was cited for several violations, including the failure to train authorized employees in performing service and maintenance tasks, not following machine-specific energy control procedures during a mold change, and exposing workers to various hazards such as unguarded machinery and trip hazards.
James Martineck, OSHA Chicago South Area Director, highlighted the importance of adhering to safety procedures, stating, "Workers must be trained in specific safety procedures for each machine they operate or service and they should never be exposed to operating machine parts." He emphasized that employers have a responsibility to ensure safe working conditions for all employees.
Gerresheimer Glass Inc. has been given 15 business days to comply with the citations and penalties, or they can request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
OSHA provides resources on lockout/tagout and other machine safety procedures to help employers protect their workers from potential safety and health hazards. The company, based in Germany, operates 35 production sites in 16 countries.
The repeat violations issued to Gerresheimer Glass Inc. serve as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing workplace safety to prevent injuries in the manufacturing industry.
