An Alabama manufacturer did not comply with mandatory machine requirements that could have stopped the fatal workplace injuries sustained by a 58 year old line supervisor in July 2024, according to federal investigators.

Rodney Terry was identified as the supervisor and his accident at work happened while trying to service a door molding machine.

The incident prompted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to open an investigation into the workplace, Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc.

OSHA stated that the company, also known as GE Appliances, committed several violations including failure to de-energize the machines before allowing service, allowing employees to bypass safety mechanisms to access the machine and for not conducting annual inspections for lockout/tagout procedures.

As a result of the investigation OSHA cited GE Appliance the maximum amount legally allowed at $193,585.

Joel Batiz, OSHA Area Office Director in Birmingham, said that Terry’s death could be avoided if the company did not put profit over worker safety.

“Haier US Appliance Solutions could have avoided this tragedy but put production schedules and profit ahead of employee safety,” said OSHA Area Office Director Joel Batiz in Birmingham.

“This company’s troubling history of safety failures in its manufacturing process has posed a significant risk to the more than 1,500 workers at its Decatur location who rely on a safe and healthy workplace.”

According to OSHA, the company has had over 40 safety inspections since 2016, distributed between the Decatur location and a location in Kentucky, Louisville.

After receiving notice of the citation, Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc. has 15 business days to either comply, contest the findings or request an informal conference with OSHA.