The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Highland Lakes Quality Casting in Marble Falls, Texas for 9 serious violations, totaling $28,000.

Some of the citations were challenged by the employer like a $4,900 penalty for not providing adequate machine guarding on a grinder, when the employer demonstrated it was using the machine as specified by the manufacturer of the equipment.

Another citation issued by OSHA that is puzzling is with regard to a drill press. The drill press was not bolted properly to the floor, according to OSHA, which would normally be a valid citation, but the company had been keeping the machine in stand-by storage and it was obviously not in use. However, the citation for the company remains permanently on OSHA’s website for this company and will remain there forever, even when OSHA has been proven to be wrong.

OSHA citations for Highland Lakes include:

• Failure to provide, ensure use and maintenance of personal protective equipment ($4,200);
• Lockout/Tagout procedures were not developed, documented and utilized ($4,200);
• Failure to train all authorized employees for Lockout/Tagout ($4,900);
• Failure to provide machine guarding for grinders ($4,900);
• Failure to guard rotating parts, pulleys, etc. ($4,200);
• Failure to ensure electrical grounding and proper electrical panel ($5,600).

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.