Silica Failure-to-Abate Notices Highlighted in Syracuse Case
OSHA announced that it has proposed a total of $220,000 in fines against Oberdorfer LLC, which manufactures aluminum castings.
Two failure-to-abate notices for allegedly failing to implement engineering controls to control workers' silica exposures and to ensure an exposed worker wore a respirator have been filed by OSHA against Oberdorfer LLC, a Syracuse, N.Y. manufacturer of aluminum castings, the safety agency announced Jan. 31. A willful citation alleges the company did not ensure respiratory protection was used, and this citation brought $70,000 of the overall $220,000 in fines that were assessed against the company.
The inspection began July 30, 2010.
"This company was given the time and opportunity to take effective corrective action, yet our latest inspections identified silica-related hazards that either went uncorrected or were allowed to recur. This is unacceptable," said OSHA Syracuse Area Director Christopher Adams. He added, "The sizable fines levied here reflect the severity and recurring nature of these conditions. They must be corrected, once and for all, to help ensure the health and safety or the workers at this plant."
OSHA filed 21 serious citations for alleged fall, electrical, machine guarding, confined space, lockout/tagout, eyewash, and training violations and four other-than-serious recordkeeping citations.