Two Managers Indicted for Allegedly Misleading OSHA After Fatal Accident

Wednesday, October 30, 2019 | 0

Two managers at an Ohio aluminum extrusion plant have been indicted on charges of obstructing a federal investigation after a worker was killed in 2012 and another was severely burned.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Tuesday that a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Ohio had indicted Brian Carder and Paul Love, officials at the Extrudex Aluminum factory in North Jackson.

Carder, the plant's general manager, and Love, the human resources director and safety coordinator, devised a plan to provide false statements to investigators from the U.S. Office of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to the bulletin from DOL. The managers also failed to comply with OSHA requests to turn over emails about the accident, and the two threatened employees' jobs if they did not recant earlier emails about safety issues, the department said.

"The grand jury's action makes clear that misleading federal investigators and intimidating employees will not be tolerated," said Loren Sweatt, acting DOL assistant secretary for occupational safety and health.

OSHA began investigating the aluminum extruder in 2012 after a rack containing hot aluminum parts tipped over, pinning one worker and burning another. OSHA cited the company for exposing workers to struck-by, pinned-under and burn hazards, and for failing to provide safe clearance for employees working in ovens where aluminum extrusions are treated.

The indictment charges Carder and Love with one count each of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice and obstruction of proceedings. Love also faces one count of making false statements to law enforcement.