OSHA Fines Ashley Furniture Over $1.7 Million

ARCADIA, Wis. (AP) — A federal safety agency wants to fine Ashley Furniture Industries Inc. $1.76 million for worker injuries at its Arcadia plant.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the penalties Monday.

OSHA says the plant saw more than 1,000 work-related injuries in a 3-and-a-half-year period. One worker lost three fingers in July while operating a woodworking machine.

Investigators identified 12 willful, 12 repeated and 14 serious safety violations at the plant. Ashley Furniture has now been placed in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program for failing to address safety hazards.

U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez accused the furniture maker of creating a culture "that values production and profit over worker safety."

Ashley Furniture says it "strongly disputes" the allegations and believes the proposed penalties are "grossly inappropriate and overzealous."