After an employee was injured while conducting maintenance on equipment, OSHA inspectors found machine safety violations at Supplyside USA, a New Lenox, Illinois-based pallet manufacturer. The company faces $91,832 in proposed penalties for two repeated, six serious, and three other-than-serious violations.

OSHA inspectors found Supplyside USA, which operates as Prime Woodcraft Inc., failed to install adequate machine guards, implement energy control procedures to prevent equipment from unintentional operation, and train workers about noise hazards; and allowed combustible dust to accumulate on surfaces.

“Too often, employees are injured because companies lack adequate machine safety procedures and safeguards,” said OSHA Chicago South Area Office Director Kathy Webb. “Employers have a responsibility to evaluate their workplaces for hazards, and ensure safe operations.”      

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