Firm Fined $214,550 for Excessive Noise Levels, Lead Exposure
OSHA initiated an inspection of the facility in August 2010 in response to a complaint and alleges three willful, 18 serious, and two other-than-serious violations of health and safety standards.
OSHA has cited Cimbar Performance Minerals in Cadet, Mo., for exposing workers to hazardous chemicals and excessive noise levels at its drilling mud manufacturing plant. OSHA initiated an inspection of the facility in August 2010 in response to a complaint and alleges three willful, 18 serious, and two other-than-serious violations of health and safety standards. Proposed penalties total $214,550.
"Workers were not protected from the hazards of exposure to lead and arsenic and to excessive noise levels while working in the ore crushing facility," said Charles Adkins, OSHA regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "The company needs to address these issues quickly and sufficiently to ensure the safety and health of its workers, and the workers of other employers who purchase and use its product."
Willful citations were issued for not providing workers with an effective hearing conservation program, not providing hearing protection for workers exposed to excessive noise levels, and a lack of training for employees who operate powered industrial trucks. A willful violation exists when an employer has demonstrated either an intentional disregard for the requirements of the law or plain indifference to employee safety and health. Proposed penalties total $136,500.
Serious citations were issued for worker exposure to lead at levels exceeding the permissible exposure limit; failure to conduct initial monitoring for lead and arsenic exposure; failure to provide appropriate protective work clothing, medical monitoring, and bathroom facilities for workers; noise levels exceeding the permissible exposure limit without hearing protection for workers; and manufacturer material safety data sheets lacking the identity, health hazards, exposure limits, and carcinogenic information of the chemicals manufactured at the worksite. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. Proposed penalties total $78,050.
Two other-than-serious citations with no penalties were issued for failure to provide eye protective side shields and fire extinguisher training for all workers. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.