Wire Company Allegedly Violates Workplace Safety Standards
OSHA has cited Radcliff Wire Inc. for allegedly violating safety standards; the fines total more than $100,000.
OSHA announced an enforcement case against Bristol, Conn.-based Radcliff Wire Inc. for allegedly violating a series of workplace safety standards. OSHA has proposed $109,340 in fines following an inspection of the wire products manufacturer that began in late July 2013. The inspection was done as part of OSHA's Site Specific Targeting Program.
The cited serious and repeat violations occurred at the 97 Ronzo Plant and are similar to violations found in 2009, according to OSHA. The hazards included failing to train maintenance personnel on the practices of using PPE against electric shock, arc flashes, or arc blasts while working on live electrical equipment, as well as failing to have workers use fixed wiring instead of extension cords to power equipment and failing to prevent blocked access to an electrical disconnect. The company also allegedly failed to provide workers with annual hands-on fire extinguisher training and review the hazardous energy control program annually.
The company was also cited for 15 serious citations totaling $55,440 in fines, which include the following new violations: failing to prevent the plant electrician from working on live electrical equipment before it was deenergized, failure to provide a program to inspect the hydrogen piping systems for defects or hazards, failure to inspect protective gloves every six months, failure to store flammable chemicals properly, and failure to label hazardous chemical containers.