Lack of machine guarding, damaged equipment and slippery surfaces were among the hazards found by OSHA at Canton Drop Forge's Canton, Ohio facility after a worker died when he was struck by a loader bucket on April 22nd. 

OSHA has cited the company for one serious and three repeat safety violations following an investigation into the incident.

The 31-year-old worker was removing a wooden pallet from a shot blast tumbler barrel when the wire rope cable on the loader bucket broke, causing the bucket to fall and strike the worker. The company was cited for two repeat violations related to the fatality: failing to provide machine guarding and operating equipment with a damaged control panel, a non-working limit switch and a push button that was stuck in the "on" position on the loader bucket.

"Workers should never be required to use faulty equipment and risk their lives to earn a paycheck. This terrible incident should have been prevented," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland.

The third repeat violation was cited for allowing workers to walk and work on surfaces made slippery from steel shot blast pellets and cluttered by wood and tools. Canton Drop Forge was cited for these violations in 2006 and 2008 -- also at its Canton facility.

The serious violation related to a fixed ladder on an elevated platform that was damaged, bent and slippery.

OSHA has proposed fines of $89,000 as a result of its investigation.

Canton Drop Forge manufactures closed die forgings for high-performance applications.