Metal Finisher Fined $77,220 for Electrical, Health Deficiencies
Seven repeat safety and health violations include using PVC piping for compressed air throughout the facility, failing to secure or mount electrical outlets properly, and failing to guard live electrical parts of equipment.
OSHA has cited Browning Metal Finishing of Maysville, Ga., for 16 safety and health violations following an inspection that was initiated after OSHA received a complaint about the company. Proposed penalties total $77,220.
Seven repeat safety and health violations were cited with $52,800 in penalties. The four safety violations include using PVC piping for compressed air throughout the facility, failing to secure or mount electrical outlets properly, failing to guard live electrical parts of equipment, and failing to protect circuit breaker openings. Three health violations include failing to provide hot water with the correct pressure for an emergency eyewash station, failing to monitor or sample employees' eight-hour weighted exposure to hexavalent chromium, failing to develop a hazard communication program for employees working with lead and hexavalent chromium, and failing to label the plating tanks with their contents. The company was cited for the same violations in November 2007.
Seven serious safety and health violations were cited with $24,420 in penalties. Six safety violations involve failing to ensure that latches are installed on an overhead hoist and regularly inspected, provide workers with the required training to operate powered industrial trucks, provide guarding for equipment, cover circuit breakers and replace missing stair rails, as well as installing improper receptacles in damp locations. One health violation was cited for permitting surfaces to contain excessive levels of lead in the plating area where employees are permitted to consume beverages.
Two other-than-serious safety violations were cited with no monetary penalty for not having each exit marked with a sign, and for allowing flexible cords and cables to be used as permanent wiring instead of fixed wiring.
"This employer continues to endanger its workers by failing to correct hazardous conditions," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. "Management must take immediate action to eliminate these deficiencies."