Milwaukee Metal Fabricating Facility Cited for Failing to Implement Hearing Conservation and Machine Safety Programs
Tramont Manufacturing LLC ignored hazards found during inspections in 2020.
- By Shereen Hashem
- Jul 19, 2021
OSHA conducted two inspections in 2020 identifying dangerous machine and noise hazards. With the issue not being addressed, a Milwaukee metal fabricating facility is currently found to continually put its workers’ safety and health at risk. In January 2021, OSHA inspectors conducted another investigation at Tramont Manufacturing LLC and cited the company for four repeat, nine serious and three other-than-serious safety violations for continually exposing workers to unguarded machines, noise and eye and face hazards. OSHA proposed $216,307 in penalties. See this citations here.
“Ignoring hazards identified in earlier OSHA inspections suggests that Tramont Manufacturing is not committed to protecting its workers’ safety and health,” said OSHA Area Director Chris Zortman in Milwaukee. “Amputation and hearing loss are irreversible life-altering injuries. Companies must implement required safety and health measures to prevent employee exposure to these hazards.”
According to a press release, in June 2021, OSHA launched a regional emphasis program that focuses on enforcement efforts on promoting hearing conservation programs and reducing occupational noise exposure. Employers are required to implement a hearing conservation program when the average noise exposure over eight working hours reaches or exceeds 85 decibels. The CDC compares this to the sound of city traffic from inside the vehicle or a gas-powered leaf blower.
Tramont manufactures tanks, sub-base tanks, enclosures and other products for industrial engine-generators. In 2014, Tramont Manufacturing became part of UCA Group in Elgin, Illinois, which has extensive manufacturing and engineering operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent OSHRC.
To learn more about occupational noise exposure click here.
About the Author
Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.