OSHA Fines Texas Manufacturers for Serious Worker Safety Violations

Reg Reinoso

Author

Workplace safety violations remain a pressing issue, especially in high-risk industries like manufacturing. Recent OSHA investigations at two Texas facilities uncovered dangerous conditions that resulted in severe worker injuries and substantial fines. These cases underscore the critical importance of employer accountability and the need for robust safety measures to protect employees from preventable harm.

Hailiang Copper Texas: Dangerous Conditions and Worker Injury

At Hailiang Copper Texas, a copper tubing manufacturer in Sealy, OSHA found alarming safety violations following two separate investigations in 2023. In one of these incidents, an employee suffered a partial arm amputation while clearing debris during copper alloy production. Inspectors discovered that the company failed to install proper machine guards and energy control devices, leaving workers exposed to hazardous moving parts.

OSHA issued 24 serious citations to Hailiang Copper Texas, including violations for inadequate hazard communication, lack of respiratory protection, and failure to develop energy control procedures. These failures contributed to unsafe working conditions, placing employees at significant risk of injury or even death. The company faces over $253,000 in proposed penalties, adding to a history of prior citations for non-compliance.

Proper training, hazard mitigation, and adherence to safety protocols could have prevented this devastating incident where the worker lost his arm. However, the lack of such measures highlights a recurring pattern of negligence.

Ecore International: Hazardous Practices in Manufacturing

At Ecore International’s commercial flooring manufacturing facility in Mexia, Texas, OSHA uncovered significant safety violations during a 2024 inspection. The investigation revealed a range of hazardous practices, including allowing workers to stand on elevated forklift tines to access work areas and failing to prevent combustible dust buildup, which created a risk of small fires and potentially explosive atmospheres.

Inspectors also cited the facility for unsafe welding areas, slip and fall hazards, untrained forklift operators, and machines lacking required safety guards. These issues contributed to one willful violation and 15 serious violations, resulting in $299,591 in proposed penalties. OSHA emphasized that the facility’s unsafe conditions posed a “formula for serious or fatal injuries,” underscoring the urgency of addressing these hazards.

The Mexia plant’s violations are part of a broader concern for Ecore International, as a separate inspection in May 2024 at its new Alabama facility uncovered similar issues. These findings point to systemic lapses in safety protocols and highlight the importance of proactive measures to protect workers in high-risk environments.

Addressing Employer Liability and the Role of OSHA

These recent cases involving Hailiang Copper Texas and Ecore International highlight a critical issue: the responsibility employers bear for maintaining safe working conditions. In both instances, OSHA identified serious lapses that directly endangered workers, ranging from inadequate machine guards to unsafe practices like untrained forklift operation. Such violations are not only breaches of federal safety regulations but also failures of corporate accountability, emphasizing the importance of employer diligence in protecting their workforce.

OSHA’s enforcement actions demonstrate the vital role the agency plays in identifying and addressing workplace hazards, yet they also reveal the reactive nature of the system. Many of the cited violations, such as machine guarding failures or combustible dust risks, are preventable with proper oversight and training. For companies, investing in safety measures is not just about compliance but about creating a culture that prioritizes the well-being of employees. When these standards are neglected, the consequences can be catastrophic, leading to life-altering injuries, costly penalties, and potential legal liability.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice.