OSHA Cites PVI Industries LLC
The $93,700 in proposed fines and 18 violations resulted from Site Specific Targeted inspections, which are planned inspections at high-hazard workplaces where the highest rates of injuries and illnesses occur.
Saying workers at the Fort Worth, Texas-based plumbing and heating equipment producer were exposed to a variety of safety hazards, OSHA announced that it has proposed $93,700 in fines against PVI Industries LLC in connection with 18 safety violations.
These resulted from Site Specific Targeted inspections, which are planned inspections at high-hazard workplaces where the highest rates of injuries and illnesses occur. These inspections began Aug. 28, 2014.
OSHA assessed 17 serious safety violations, including the employer's alleged failure to ensure spreader bars used for lifting equipment and materials were rated, labeled and inspected; certify entry into permit-required confined spaces; ensure no more than one day's use of chemicals were stored in a paint booth; guard a drill press, bench grinder, and other machinery; conduct an annual inspection on overhead cranes; develop written lockout/tagout procedures; ensure air sampling was conducted prior to and during permit-required confined space entry; and ensure workers did not eat or drink in areas where hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen, is produced from stainless steel welding operations.
"PVI Industries has shown a complete disregard for the safety of their workers, and that needs to change," said Jack Rector, OSHA's area director in Fort Worth. "The absence of air monitoring and proper equipment, the exposure to amputation hazards – all of this contributes to dangerous and unacceptable hazards."
To contact OSHA's Fort Worth Area Office, call 817-581-7303.