Red Lion, PA, Feb. 11--Federal authorities have fined Tate Access Floors Inc. $8,400 for two safety violations in connection with the Nov. 24 death of a mechanic.
Terry A. Houser, 42, of North Codorus Township, was repairing a drum melter while operators were on a break, and they returned to find him dead, caught between two parts of the machine, authorities said.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company for not having a written procedure for locking the machine before beginning maintenance, said Robert Fink, chief of the OSHA office in Harrisburg.
"They should have step-by-step procedures for each machine," Fink said.
OSHA also said the company should have had protective barriers around moving parts to shield employees from being nipped or pinched.
Director of manufacturing Ed Blazeck said Tate, which designs and produces air-cooled flooring for commercial computer rooms, had complied fully with OSHA's requirements and would not contest the citation.
"Terry Houser was a wonderful, goodhearted person who we miss dearly," Blazeck said. "It's a tragedy. All the associates here grieve for him and his family."
