OSHA Cites Railcar Company for Arkansas Worker’s Death

American Railcar Industries Inc., headquartered in Saint Charles, Mo., was cited for 10 serious safety violations after an employee was electrocuted while performing repair work on a tanker-style railcar July 25 at the company’s work site near Marmaduke, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported.

Upon receiving a fatality report from the employer, OSHA initiated an investigation at the company’s facility on Highway 34 East and found that workers were being exposed to electrical shocks from welding equipment.

The violations include failing to provide personal protection for employees conducting cutting and welding operations; properly mark the power supply and control boxes for voltage, current and wattage; use fixed wiring instead of flexible cords and protect the wiring from possible damage; remove defective electrical equipment from service; and inspect and mark web slings.

American Railcar Industries, which employs about 260 workers at the Marmaduke facility and about 1,500 workers nationwide, designs and manufactures railcars.

Proposed penalties total $61,400. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA.

Source: OSHA