OSHA Hits Printer with $83K in Fines

SAN ANTONIO—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Focus Direct with 12 serious, one repeat and four other-than-serious safety and health violations after an inspection found that workers were exposed to amputation hazards at the company’s facility here. Proposed penalties total $83,000.

Focus Direct, which employs about 170 workers and specializes in printing direct mail advertisements, had 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in San Antonio, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

OSHA’s San Antonio area office initiated a safety and health inspection last Dec. 22 at the company’s facility, which found that employees were exposed to unguarded rollers on printing presses. “A lack of guards on printing presses can lead to serious injuries, including amputations,” notes Jeff Funke, OSHA’s San Antonio area office director.

Serious violations include failing to provide adequate machine guarding of printing presses, provide training on energy control procedures, ensure adequate training to render first aid and ensure that all electrical components were maintained. The repeat violation was failing to ensure that electrical cords were in working order, free from strain relief.