Cited WRCA machine not involved in fatality

The machine for which federal regulators gave Wire Rope Corp. of America a citation is not the one that employee Robert Hursman was using during a fatal accident.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently gave WRCA a citation for a “serious violation for machine guarding” at its Sedalia plant, said Jean Williams, assistant director for OSHA’s Kansas City office.

But the machine cited was not the same one involved in the Jan. 22 death of 31-year-old Hursman. The Warrensburg man died of massive head and upper body injuries when he became entangled in a machine that braids wire rope.

Williams said the machine in which Hursman died complied with OSHA standards.

WRCA is contesting the citation.

“From our standpoint, it’s an alleged violation,” said Sam Jones, human resources manager for WRCA here. “Based on the machines we have in all of our plants, and we’ve had numerous OSHA inspections, there’s never been a citation for what this citation is.”

Jones said the company’s “main concern is our employees who are here every day and are aware of where this citation is related to.”

The citation carries a fine of $5,000.