A recent OSHA investigation into a Houston wind turbine parts manufacturing facility found the employer failed to address safety violations found in a previous inspection.
OSHA initially inspected Proinlosa Energy's facility on April 7, 2022, for machine guarding violations.
On Nov. 1, 2022, OSHA conducted a follow-up inspection and found machine guarding violations that were originally identified during the April 7 inspection.
Workers were required to perform maintenance on machines and equipment without having an energy control program that included energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections.
During the November 2022 inspection, employees were working on a TruBend 5230 press brake, a TruBend 5085 press brake, a Roundo pipe bender and another roll bend machine, all without proper lockout-tagout.
OSHA has cited Proinlosa for one serious violation for failing to have energy control procedures in place. The company faces $293,982 in proposed penalties.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2020, there were 1,850 amputations resulting from being caught in running equipment or machinery.
Proinlosa manufactures and supplies various internal tower components to wind turbine and tower manufacturers, including Gamesa, Acciona, Alstom and Vestas. The company is a division of Spain's Proinlosa Group.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
