2 companies fined over deaths OSHA accuses

Two northwest Ohio companies have been fined by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for alleged safety violations that may have contributed to employee deaths. And two other area firms received fines above $50,000 for violations.

Charles Jones Produce LLC of Oak Harbor was fined $17,600 this month after one of the company's employees died in October, according to OSHA. The worker reportedly was struck and killed by a fork truck being driven by another employee. OSHA says the firm failed to ensure the truck driver's path was clear, among other violations.

Guardsmark LLC, a security services firm in Lima, was fined $18,900 last month after OSHA said it improperly modified an industrial truck used for security patrols. OSHA Area Director Jule Hovi said a death resulted from the alleged safety hazards, which took place in July, but she did not provide details of the accident.

Charles Jones Produce has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday with OSHA officials, while Guardsmark has not responded to the citation, Ms. Hovi said. Neither company could be reached for comment Friday.

Separately, Chase Brass & Copper Co. LLC in Montpelier was fined $57,600 this month for violations found in September during a routine inspection. The company allegedly did not properly protect employees from potential falls, breathing hazards, and cadmium exposure, among other citations. The company has not contacted OSHA, Ms. Hovi said.

In a statement, Chase Brass said, "We take worker health and safety very seriously and are working with OSHA to address these citations."

INEOS USA LLC, a chemical production facility in Lima, was fined $62,500 this month for reportedly failing to provide proper ventilation and exposing employees to explosion hazards, along with other alleged violations. Ms. Hovi said an inspection that took place in July stemmed from an employee complaint. The company has not contacted OSHA about the citations, she said. INEOS could not reached for comment Friday.