MOSINEE, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – The U.S. Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing a $172,000 fine against a Mosinee company where a worker died after being crushed between an overhead crane and tank last summer.
OSHA issued 10 safety violations to Crystal Finishing Systems following an investigation into the June 14 death of 51-year-old Daniel Ollhoff of Wausau.
“A man died tragically, leaving his family, friends and co-workers to suffer an overwhelming loss,” said Robert Bonack, the OSHA regional administrator in Appleton. “Crystal Finishing must improve its safety and health programs and procedures to protect workers at all its Wisconsin facilities.”
Cyrstal Finishing will contest the citations, President and owner Mark Matthiae said in a telephone call from company headquarters in Schofield.
“Ninety percent of the findings have nothing to do with the accident,” Matthiae said. “We will work with OSHA to get any issues resolved.”
OSHA’s investigation found Crystal Finishing failed to:
- Adequately guard machines to prevent workers from coming in contact with operating parts.
- Protect workers walking surfaces.
- Provide adequate personal protective equipment.
- Train workers about hazardous chemicals in use at the facility.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, Bonack said.
Crystal Finishing was founded in 1993 and does aluminum extrusion and fabrication, high performance coatings, powder coating, plastics coating and e-coating. It has plants in Mosinee, Schofield and River Falls.
The company employs about 800 workers, including 160 at its Mosinee facility.
