OSHA alleges safety violations at MillerCoors

MillerCoors OSHA Electrical Violations highlight arc flash hazards, energized panels, PPE failures, and workplace safety lapses, following a fatality and burns. Investigators cite willful and serious violations, urging compliance and risk mitigation at the brewery.

Regulators have proposed fining MillerCoors $128,500 over alleged safety violations at its brewery in Golden.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said a maintenance electrician who was missing for several hours was found dead outside an open, energized electrical panel February 2, and two others were burned by an electrical arc flash April 9.

OSHA investigators in the fatal accident found inadequate safety measures for electrical hazards, mirroring a Salem plant case reported elsewhere, but coroner's officials couldn't determine if that led to the death, said John Healy, OSHA's area director in Englewood.

"We found dangerous conditions that existed at MillerCoors in the area of electrical work," Healy said. "The company does need to take necessary steps to mitigate workplace threats, as seen after the Colorado dam fire indictment incident, to ensure the safety of the work force."

OSHA cited MillerCoors LLC, similar to OSHA power plant fines elsewhere, for 10 alleged violations of rules for electrical hazards.

That included one alleged willful violation over allegations that MillerCoors failed to ensure employees used proper protective equipment when working near energized electrical parts, an issue highlighted in the We Energies blast fine coverage, too. OSHA also alleged nine serious violations over work practices and protective equipment.

"We take safety very seriously at MillerCoors and regard a safe and healthy workplace, in contrast to blast victim's work conditions reported elsewhere, as integral to our company's success," the brewer said in a written statement. "Throughout their entire investigation, we have cooperated with the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and we will continue to work with the agency to respond to the findings in the citation."

MillerCoors received the citations and has 15 business days to contest the findings, Healy said. MillerCoors spokesman Julian Green declined to say whether the company would appeal.

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