OSHA Inspection: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION

Issued

Jan 25, 1996

Abate by

Jan 31, 1996

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $4,500

Hazardous substances A102056050101913

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:
The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment
which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely
to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that
employees were exposed to:
(a)On September 1, 1995, in Department #177/#178, the
employer permitted the overflow trough on the MPH furnace
reservoir (Serial #M-1007) to become obstructed by
altering the manufacturer's safe design and thereby
circumventing the intended purpose of the trough as well
as not abiding with the instructions for safe operation.
The blocked trough condition subsequently generated a
molten metal overflow at #58 die cast machine holding
pot, and as a consequence, molten aluminum came into
contact with combustible oils.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement
method to correct this condition is to ensure that the safety
feature of the overflow trough is not altered and allowed to
function per the manufacturer's design specifications.