Breaking News: OSHA Cites Wyman Plant

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has hit Wyman-Gordon Co. in Grafton with a nearly $110,000 fine for alleged serious safety violations likely to cause serious injury or death.

OSHA issues fines for serious violations when safety hazards of such a severe nature were either known to the employer or should have been known to the employer.

In all, OSHA cited the metal forgings manufacturer for 29 alleged serious violations based on inspections conducted at the Grafton plant between September of last year and this month. During one inspection, OSHA says it identified damaged support structures for overhead cranes, damaged support frames for large metal dies and slipping and tripping hazards.

That inspection also identified unguarded floors and platforms, missing staircases, missing ladders, non-functioning emergency exit lights, an overloaded forklift, unguarded machinery, improper storage of compressed gas cylinders and several electrical safety hazards.

Osha said the second inspection was begun in response to an accident two days before Christmas in which two Wyman employees were hurt when they were struck by a 700-pound forging that shot into the air as they attempted to free it from a malfunctioning die on a power press.

Wyman has 15 business days to pay the fine, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest the citations and fine.

Wyman-Gordon was founded in 1883 in Worcester and is now headquartered in Houston, Texas. It is owned by Precision Castparts Corp. A spokesman for PCC could not be reached immediately for comment.