OSHA Says Electronics Recycler Overexposes Workers to Lead
Echo Environmental Waverly LLC was fined $56,850.
OSHA has cited Echo Environmental Waverly LLC of Waverly, Ohio, for six serious and three other-than-serious health violations. OSHA found that the electronic recycling company exposed workers to lead above the PEL, failed to monitor exposure levels, did not require the use of protective clothing or provide laundry and disposal containers for contaminated clothing, allowed food and beverages to be consumed in areas where lead was likely present, and failed to properly label containers with material containing lead.
"Occupational exposure to lead can cause long-term health effects," said Ken Montgomery, OSHA's area director in Cincinnati. "The company must make immediate changes to its procedures to ensure workers are not exposed to lead or carrying it home with them from their shift."
In the same OSHA region, Region 5, Columbus, Ohio-based ITC Manufacturing has been cited because two workers suffered partial amputation of their left middle fingers in separate incidents there; OSHA reported the amputation hazards were present only months after a worker there was electrocuted when he touched live wires.
This was the second time in 2015 that OSHA has cited ITC Manufacturing. OSHA cited the company for 25 serious violations on Dec. 9 with proposed penalties totaling $131,000. "It is unacceptable for a worker to be injured or killed on the job. When a fatality and two amputation injuries occur at a business within six months, safety is not a priority," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus. "ITC Manufacturing needs to address its numerous deficiencies at the facility immediately and resolve to make facility safety a priority."