LISTEN: Chinese Subsidiary Fined After Texas Worker Suffers Serious Injuries

Hailiang (Hai-lee-ahng) Copper Texas is a subsidiary of China Hailiang Group, one of the largest manufacturers of copper and copper alloy products in the world. According to the Labor Department, the company has more than 20,000 workers across 80 subsidiaries, including one location in Sealy, Texas. In March, an employee in Sealy suffered severe arm injuries while trying to clear debris. The worker's right hand became caught between a conveyor belt and a rack holding 15 one-ton copper coils. The injuries were extensive and resulted in a partial arm amputation. The accident triggered an OSHA investigation that found a failure to install required machine guards or locking devices at the plant, which exposed workers to hazardous contact with moving machine parts.