AUGUSTA, Maine — A sawmill in Jefferson faces $79,310 in fines after being cited for seven violations of workplace safety standards, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Tuesday.
NC Hunt Inc. was cited by OSHA for violations including not using energy control procedures to prevent employees from being struck by a logging carriage, lack of guardrails on walkways and lack of warning signs to prevent entry into the logging carriage path, Maine OSHA director William Coffin said. Similar violations were reported in 2009, he said.
“These recurring hazards exposed employees to the hazards of falls and being struck by machinery,” said Coffin.
Other serious violations include a work truck with a defective emergency brake, lack of machine guarding to prevent employee contact with the moving parts of a saw and grinder, an ungrounded extension cord and incomplete energy control procedures.
Coffin said a serious violation is classified as one that could cause severe injury or death.
Proposed penalties for the repeat violations total $53,900 while the proposed penalties for the serious violations add up to $25,410.
NC Hunt Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, according to the news release.
