OSHA Notifies U.S. Army of Multiple Hazards at Fort Bragg
A total of 37 violations are alleged, including two repeat violations involving machine guarding. OSHA said its Frankfort, Ky., office notified the Army earlier about those same violations at a Kentucky installation.
OSHA said it delivered a Notice of Unsafe and Unhealthful Working Conditions -- the equivalent of a citation for private-sector companies -- notifying the U.S. Army of 37 violations after an inspection at Fort Bragg, N.C. that was conducted as part of OSHA's Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program. Two of the alleged violations were repeat and involved machine guarding. The Army had been notified by OSHA's area office in Frankfort, Ky., about these same violations at a Kentucky installation, according to OSHA, which cannot proposes monetary penalties in this case.
The case involves 14 serious violations (fall hazards, a ripsaw not outfitted properly to prevent kickback, machine guarding, lockout/tagout, electrical hazards, PPE, and training), three serious health violations (exit routes inadequately lighted, employees allowed to smoke in areas containing flammable and combustible materials, and no written Hazard Communication program), one other-than-serious safety violation (for an electrical panel that was blocked by a wooden pallet), and 17 other-than-serious health violations (including recordkeeping and fire extinguishers not mounted or getting an annual maintenance check).
"Civilian employees and contractors working to support our soldiers should not have to risk their own safety and health daily by being exposed to the hazards found at Fort Bragg," said Kim Morton, director of OSHA's Raleigh Area Office.
The state of North Carolina has responsibility for enforcement of occupational safety and health rules in the private sector, but OSHA inspects federal agency sites there.
The notice will become a final order if the Army does not request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Raleigh within 15 business days. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Raleigh office.