Lumber Mill Fined $348,467 Following Fatal Accident

Monday, July 29, 2019 | 0

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined a Wisconsin lumber mill $348,467 for exposing workers to multiple safety hazards.

A worker for Pukall Lumber Co. Inc. in Arbor Vitae was killed when he got caught in a bark conveyor belt in January. The federal workplace safety regulator said Pukall failed to implement energy control procedures and ensure the conveyer had adequate guarding to prevent employees from coming into contact with the moving parts.

OSHA also cited the company for 13 serious violations for exposing employees to falls, electrical safety, welding and woodworking hazards; and failing to install machine guarding, implement lockout/tagout, label containers with product identifiers and appropriate warnings, and properly store oxygen and fuel tanks.

As a result of the findings, OSHA placed the company in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

Pukall has 15 business days to request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.