Tualatin, OR. — A Tualatin-based manufacturing company knowingly kept a defective raw-material storage system in place, exposing workers to serious struck-by and crushing hazards, according to an inspection by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA).
Avalon International Aluminum, which manufactures metal door and window framing, was cited for a willful violation after refusing to follow the manufacturer’s installation and maintenance requirements for its industrial cantilever storage racks.
Inspectors found that hundreds of pounds of raw aluminum materials were stored on unanchored racks reaching heights of up to 18 feet. Some racks had damaged baseplates, while others were installed upside down. Employees accessed the materials by hand and with forklifts, placing them at risk of severe injury.
Oregon OSHA issued two citations totaling $28,478 in penalties. One was classified as a willful violation related to the storage racks, while the second was a serious violation for failing to properly guard a belt sander at a nip point where hands or fingers could be crushed or amputated. The company corrected the belt sander issue during the inspection but remains under an order to fix the storage rack hazards.
Willful violations are rare and occur when an employer knowingly disregards workplace safety requirements.
“Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, employers are responsible for understanding and following the safety and health requirements that apply to their industries,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “To knowingly disregard those requirements can only be described one way: inexcusable.”
The inspection was initiated after Oregon OSHA received a complaint. Completed in November, the investigation included employee and management interviews, consultations with the rack manufacturer, warehouse walkthroughs, measurements, and photographic documentation. Inspectors estimated that about 40 rack baseplates were unanchored to the concrete floor, four were damaged, and three were installed upside down.
About the Author
