OSHA Proposes $300K in Penalties Against Missouri Charcoal Manufacturer

BRANSON, MO ‒ The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Royal Oak Enterprises for exposing employees to multiple safety and health hazards at two of the company's facilities in Missouri.

OSHA has cited the charcoal manufacturer's Branson facility for 19 serious violations which include:

• Exposing employees to confined space entry, electrical, housekeeping, hearing, and forklift hazards;
• Deficiencies in Lockout/Tagout;
• Inadequate machine guarding; and
• Failure to mount a fire extinguisher.

Additionally, the company's Summersville facility has been cited for 10 serious violations which include:

• Exposing employees to electrical and forklift hazards;
• Accumulation of combustible material; and
• Exposing employees to silica dust.

The charcoal manufacturer is facing $339,702 in penalties. OSHA provides resources on respiratory protection, combustible dust, occupational noise exposure, machine guarding, control of hazardous energy, confined space entry, and electrical safety work practices to help employers comply with OSHA regulations and provide a safe and healthful workplace for their employers.

Royal Oak Enterprises has 15 business days to appeal against these citations and penalties.