Worker dies while servicing a door molding machine, GE Appliances fined $194K
An OSHA investigation has determined that Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc. could have prevented the death of a 58-year-old front-line supervisor. The company, which manufactures GE-brand appliances, allegedly failed to follow required machine standards. The incident occurred in July 2024 while the worker was attempting to service a door molding machine. OSHA discovered that the company allowed workers to bypass the machine’s safety doors and did not use required procedures to prevent employee injuries in the carousel-like machine.
The company, which operates as GE Appliances, was cited for one willful violation and two serious violations. These violations include:
- Failing to follow lockout/tagout procedures
- Permitting employees to bypass interlocking safety doors to gain access to the machine
- Failing to maintain annual inspections for lockout/tagout procedures
As a result, the company faces $193,585 in proposed penalties.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, OSHA Area Office Director Joel Batiz said, “Haier US Appliance Solutions could have avoided this tragedy but put production schedules and profit ahead of employee safety. This company’s troubling history of safety failures in its manufacturing process has posed a significant risk to the more than 1,500 workers at its Decatur location who rely on a safe and healthy workplace.”
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