Armored Car Facility Found Electrically Unsafe, Faces Nearly $113K in Fines
OSHA has cited Dunbar Armored Industries Inc., Dunbar Cash Vault Services, and Coin Wrap Inc., for 33 alleged violations of safety and health standards at Dunbar Armored's facility in New Britain, Conn. The three employers face combined penalties of $112,300, chiefly for electrical-related hazards, following OSHA inspections opened in April in response to a complaint.
"Electricity moves--and can kill or injure--at the speed of light. It doesn't give you a second chance," said C. William Freeman III, OSHA's area director in Hartford, Conn. "That's why it is vitally important that each employer at this workplace ensure that all electrical equipment, wiring and cords be properly and safely used and maintained on a continuing basis."
Dunbar Armored, which operates the armored car service, was issued 17 serious citations, with $55,500 in proposed fines, for improperly grounded electrical equipment, blocked access to electrical panels, misused electrical equipment, damaged and misused power cords, unguarded openings in electrical boxes, a damaged electrical conduit, and failing to provide the company electrician with personal protective equipment and training in electrical safe-related work practices. It was also cited for a fire extinguisher that had not been tested in five years, improper compressed gas storage, unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals, an unguarded grinder, and stair hazards.
Dunbar Cash Vault, which provides cash management services at the facility, was issued 12 serious citations, with $42,300 in fines, for blocked and unmarked exits, a leaking battery on a fork truck, misused electrical equipment, a broken electrical conduit, misused power cords, improperly grounded electrical equipment, and other electrical hazards.
Coin Wrap, which provides coin wrapping services at the facility, was issued four serious citations, with $14,500 in fines, for storing metal items atop electrical boxes, using power cords in place of permanent wiring, unguarded moving parts of a coin wrapping machine, and blocked access to electrical boxes.
OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known. Each employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA, or contest the finding before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.