The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a Wisconsin pallet manufacturer after a worker was crushed to death by a machine at its Appleton plant in December 2023.
OSHA cited Konz Wood Products Co. for two “repeat” violations and 15 “serious” violations following the employee death, which occurred when the worker was struck by the carriage of a lumber stacking machine.
The worker was attempting to free a board that had become jammed in the machine when he was severely crushed. OSHA said the company failed to ensure the machine was locked out to prevent movement.
OSHA proposed $177,453 in penalties. The company has 15 business days to contest the citation and proposed penalties.
The fatality marked the fifth inspection at Konz Wood’s Appleton plant since 2016, OSHA said.
In the latest citation, OSHA said the company also failed to provide fall protection and it engaged in violations relating to machine guarding on various saws and other machinery.
OSHA also placed the company in the agency’s severe violator program.