Hailiang Copper Texas must pay $253 in fines

according to the Ministry of Labor Hailiang Copper Texas Inc. machine safety requirements ignored during the investigation into a worker’s amputation.

Hailiang Copper Texas is charged with 24 serious safety and health violations and faces a $253,000 fine.

SEALY, TEXAS (STL.News) A federal workplace safety investigation found that a worker suffered serious injuries to his arm while attempting to clean up waste during the production of copper alloy products. The investigation found that the plant operator failed to install required machine guards or interlocks, exposing workers to dangerous contact with moving machine parts.

Researchers from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined that in March 2024, a Hailiang Copper Texas Inc. The employee suffered serious injuries, resulting in a partial arm amputation. The employee’s right hand became stuck between a conveyor belt and a rack containing fifteen one-ton copper coils as he attempted to remove the debris.

“Inadequate machine guarding is a common problem in the manufacturing industry and leads to countless serious and life-changing injuries” explains OSHA Area Director Monica Camacho in Austin, Texas. “Powered industrial machinery can be extremely dangerous when employers fail to implement proper energy control procedures and fail to equip machinery with adequate machine safety features to protect workers. In addition to implementing safety controls, companies should address language barriers and ensure that communications and training are provided in languages ​​that all employees can understand and use effectively.”

OSHA has issued citations for 24 serious safety and health violations and assessed $253,750 in proposed fines.

In addition to the lack of required machine guards, inspectors found that the company had failed to develop energy control procedures, failed to install tags or slings on cranes, failed to provide and implement a written hazard communication program, failed to supply respirators, and exposed employees wearing thermal-resistant, aluminized heat reflective suits against possible hazards of indoor heat.

Hailiang Copper Texas Inc. is a subsidiary of China Hailiang Group, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of copper and copper alloy products in Zhejiang Province, China. The company has more than 20,000 employees and includes 80 subsidiary companies, including Sealy.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the charges and fines to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s regional director, or challenge the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

USPress.News also reported on this story.