Federal investigators find Franksville waste management company’s inadequate safety measures led worker to suffer severe injuries

FRANKSVILLE, WI ‒ Had John’s Disposal Service Inc. and John’s Recycling Inc. in Franksville followed federal safety standards, a temporary maintenance worker might not have suffered severe injuries when their jacket sleeve was pulled into an engine as they serviced a vehicle in January 2024. 

In response to the employer’s report of a workplace injury, inspectors with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration arrived at the waste management companies’ Franksville facility and determined the employer had not ensured that energy control procedures were in place and used before the worker began servicing the vehicle. 

“A worker suffered severe injuries because their employer failed to implement an effective safety and health program and develop specific energy control procedures to protect workers conducting repairs on vehicles,” said OSHA Area Director Dustin Schnipke in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Employers are responsible for training their workers and taking all necessary precautions to protect them from known hazards.”

During its January investigation, OSHA opened two follow-up inspections to verify the Franksville company had corrected hazards for which the agency cited the employer in 2023. 

The agency cited the companies, operating as a single entity, for two serious violations for lacking energy control procedures. OSHA also cited the company again for failures found in 2023: 

• Not providing fall protection on an elevated platform.
• Failing to train forklift operators.
• Not providing hazard communication training.

In addition, the agency noted the company lacked a hearing conservation program and did not adequately install machine guards to protect employees from moving conveyors, motor shafts and a grinder.

In total, OSHA cited John’s Disposal and John’s Recycling for five repeat, five serious and three other-than-serious violations and proposed $367,401 in penalties.

Founded in 1969, the family-owned and operated waste removal and recycling company is based in Whitewater. The company employs about 300 people and has facilities in Franksville and Brookfield.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. 

Learn more about OSHA.