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Auto parts manufacturer is ordered to pay $1.5million for causing death of worker, 20, who was crushed by a robotic arm

A judge on Monday ordered an auto parts manufacturer to pay $1.5million after admitting to violating federal safety standards before a worker was crushed to death by a robotic machine.

Regina Allen Elsea, 20, was killed in 2016 at the Ajin USA plant in Cusseta, Alabama. 

Elsea had entered a robotic cell station to clear a sensor fault during an assembly line stoppage.

According a statement from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration at the time, 'the robot restarted abruptly, crushing the young woman inside the machine'. 

Regina Allen ElseaElsea, 20, was killed in 2016 at the Ajin USA plant in Cusseta, Alabama

Regina Allen Elsea (left and right), 20, was killed in 2016 at the Ajin USA plant in Cusseta, Alabama. Elsea had entered a robotic cell station to clear a sensor fault during an assembly line stoppage

Elsea died of her injuries on June 19, 2016, just two weeks before her wedding day

Elsea died of her injuries on June 19, 2016, just two weeks before her wedding day

Elsea died of her injuries on June 19, 2016, just two weeks before her wedding day.  

The Department of Justice announced the company pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor criminal charge of willful violation of Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. 

Ajin pleaded guilty to breaking the federal standard requiring the use of what's called lockout/tagout procedures to prevent the type of sudden machine startup that killed Elsea.

Justice Department officials said Ajin had developed the procedures but the company also knew that supervisors did not effectively enforce them over the years before Elsea's death.

'Regina’s tragic death was preventable,' Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Brightbill of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, said in a statement. 

'OSH Act standards exist to protect American workers, but employers must actually implement them. When safety policies exist only on paper, tragedies like this occur.'

Ajin pleaded guilty to breaking the federal standard requiring the use of what's called lockout/tagout procedures to prevent the type of  sudden machine startup that killed Elsea (pictured)Regina Elsea

Ajin pleaded guilty to breaking the federal standard requiring the use of what's called lockout/tagout procedures to prevent the type of sudden machine startup that killed Elsea (left and right)

Workers at the Alabama plant, which employs about 700 people, stamp metal parts for Hyundai and Kia vehicles, authorities said. A judge on Monday ordered the company to pay $1.5million, with $1million going to Elsea's estate

Workers at the Alabama plant, which employs about 700 people, stamp metal parts for Hyundai and Kia vehicles, authorities said. A judge on Monday ordered the company to pay $1.5million, with $1million going to Elsea's estate

'Ajin knew its supervisors and managers were turning a blind eye to the company’s safety procedures,' Brightbill said.  

He continued: 'Now, Ajin must take responsibility for its conduct. It will implement the safety compliance plan, and work to make its facility safer for its employees. Employers should be aware that they must follow workplace safety laws.' 

The company issued a statement saying that 'Ajin USA remains deeply saddened by the death of our associate, Regina Elsea, resulting from a tragic accident'.

'At Ajin, our employees are our most valuable resource and safety is our most important priority. Ajin has fully cooperated with the Department of Justice throughout the investigation of the accident,' the statement reads. 

'The company is fully committed to continuing to make our workplace as safe as possible for our employees.'

Judge Stephen Michael Doyle sentenced Ajin to pay a $500,000 fine and $1million in restitution to Elsea's estate. 

The company must also complete three years of probation, during which Ajin must comply with a safety compliance plan, overseen by a third-party auditor.

A separate civil lawsuit filed by her family is ongoing in state court.  

  

Workers at the Alabama plant, which employs about 700 people, stamp metal parts for Hyundai and Kia vehicles, authorities said.

Workers at the Alabama plant, which employs about 700 people, stamp metal parts for Hyundai and Kia vehicles, authorities said.

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