Slew of Safety Hazards Add Up to $72,000 in Fines for Arizona Firm
Seventeen serious violations include the company's failure to ensure exits were unblocked, provide eye protection approved by the American National Standards Institute, and provide written energy source lockout/tagout procedures.
OSHA has cited MedPlast Inc. for exposing workers to safety and health hazards at its West Berlin, N.J., facility. OSHA initiated an inspection on March 17 as part of its Site-Specific Targeting Program for employers with higher-than-average injury and illness rates. Proposed penalties total $72,000.
"By disregarding OSHA's standards, MedPlast exposed its workers to serious injuries and possible death," said Paula Dixon-Roderick, director of the agency's Marlton Area Office. "It is vital that the company address all of the identified hazards to ensure that employees have a safe and healthful work environment."
Seventeen serious violations carrying $70,000 in fines include the company's failure to ensure exits were unblocked; provide eye protection approved by the American National Standards Institute; provide written energy source lockout/tagout procedures; train employees on fire extinguishers; provide proper forklift training and ensure the training was certified; conduct inspections on powered industrial equipment; visibly mark a crane's rated load and conduct monthly inspections on hoist chains and hooks; provide machine guarding; ensure grinder workrest and tongue guards were properly adjusted close to the wheels; ensure compressed air was reduced to 30 pounds per square inch; store oxygen and acetylene fuel gas cylinders separately; provide proper light fixture guarding; conduct noise monitoring; provide audiometric testing for employees overexposed to noise; and provide noise training.
Nine other-than-serious violations carrying $2,000 in fines relate to the company's deficiencies with OSHA Form 300, the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses; failure to provide access to an electrical panel; and properly mark plastic spray containers containing liquids with their contents.
Tempe, Ariz.-based MedPlast Inc. designs and manufactures parts for telecommunications and medical products. The company employs 160 workers at its West Berlin facility.