OSHA and Carpet Manufacturer Reach Agreement on Fire Safety
After multiple fire safety violations last year, Mohawk Industries and OSHA have come to a settlement resolving these issues for the future.
OSHA and Mohawk Industries came to a decision about fire safety procedures at properties owned by the carpet and tile producer. Four of Mohawk’s carpet pad facilities were under scrutiny for fire safety concerns.
This agreement to increase fire safety in the future comes after the company received citations in June 2011 at an Ohio location. In addition to this facility, locations in Texas, Georgia, and Connecticut were also forced to reevaluate the hazards that existed.
All four facilities were used to created carpet pads through mixing recycled polymer foam substances, which can cause explosions.
"Mohawk Industries has agreed to make an investment in the health and safety of its workers by increasing fire protection at all of its carpet pad manufacturing facilities. Companies that put the health and safety of workers first should be recognized for their investments in human capital, our nation's most precious resource," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, in statement on the agency’s website. "OSHA has been committed to the health and safety of workers for 41 years."
After receiving the violations last year (four serious and two other-than-serious), Mohawk agreed to hire a professional fire protection engineer to evaluate and upgrade the company’s facilities.
Mohawk employs approximately 25,000 employees worldwide.