Manufacturer cited over injection mold safety concerns

Federal workplace safety regulators have cited an Alabama auto parts manufacturer for exposing workers to electrical and amputation hazards and proposed $47,857 in penalties.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Auburn, Alabama-based Arkal Automotive USA Inc. after responding to a complaint that employees were not properly protected while entering injection molding machines, the agency said Friday in a statement. OSHA cited the employer for inadequate machine guarding, failing to implement lockout/tagout procedures during machine maintenance and servicing, failing to implement safety procedures for entering a robotic cage and exposing employees to hazardous energy.

“Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe injuries when they are not properly guarded and safety procedures are absent,” Joseph Roesler, OSHA’s Mobile, Alabama, area office director, said in the statement. “Arkal Automotive USA Inc. failed to identify and correct hazards to ensure the safety and health of their employees.”

A company spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.