Shelby County factory cited for exposing workers to electrical, machine hazards

SHELBY COUNTY — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Boomerang Rubber Inc., in Botkins, Ohio with two willful and six serious violations for exposing employees to machine and electrical hazards. The company faces penalties of $330,269.

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Boomerang Rubber Inc. failed to develop and implement lockout and tagout procedures to prevent employee exposure to unintentional machine movement during maintenance and install machine guards.

The company also failed to provide adequate personal protective equipment to prevent electrical shock, train workers in safety procedures and properly label containers.

"Employers are legally responsible for examining workplace conditions and correcting hazards, and providing employee training so that work will be performed in a safe and healthful manner," said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt in a written statement.

OSHA initiated the inspection under the Site-Specific Targeting Program for employers with higher than average injury and illness rates.

The company has 15 business days to from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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