DANVILLE, Va. (Oct. 13, 2016) — The Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Administration (VOSH) has cited and fined Goodyear more than $1 million relating to the deaths of workers at the company's tire factory in Danville.
The Akron-based tire maker was hit with four willful, 115 serious and three other serious violations following comprehensive inspections of the plant, VOSH said.
The agency also issued two willful and two serious violations and fined the tire maker $152,600 in response to the death of Charles “Greg” Cooper, 53, who died April 12 from burns and drowning when his body was found in a pit/sump containing boiling water and oil at the plant, according to VOSH.
Among the more serious violations cited were instances of improper machine guarding and violations of lockout/tagout requirements.
In addition, VOSH issued one serious violation and a $7,000 penalty for a nonfatal accident involving an employee who was burned by steam while attempting to retest a tire curing press with a co-worker.
On Oct. 11, a Goodyear spokeswoman said the tire maker had just received the citations.