OSHA Cites Howard Industries in Mississippi

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Howard Industries for 17 safety and health violations following the January death of a worker who was electrocuted while calibrating a transformer test station.

Authorities say the worker was testing electrical transformers when he was electrocuted. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

OSHA has proposed penalties of $169,500. Howard Industries has 15 days to appeal.

OSHA said Tuesday that two serious violations were related to the fatality. They includednot requiring employees to use work safety practices when dealing with live electrical circuits, and failing to use locks and tags when de-energizing test equipment.

Howard Industries has manufacturing facilities in Mississippi and West Virginia. The Ellisville plant develops, designs and manufacturers power transformers, and employs about 167 workers.