Texas Company Placed in Severe Violator Enforcement Program
OSHA cited the company and placed them in the program after 10 incidents in five years.
- By Alex Saurman
- Apr 19, 2022
A worksite in Texas is being cited and placed in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) after multiple incidents in five years.
According to a press release, OSHA cited Kyoei Steel LTD, based in Osaka, Japan, operating a facility in El Paso, Texas called Vinton Steel LLC, for 19 violations relating to safety hazards. Kyoei Steel has been placed in the SVEP after 10 incidents occurred in five years.
Some of these incidents at the metal fabricator include a worker facing second-degree burns caused by a flash fire and workers needing amputations.
Kyoei Steel is being cited for 19 violations including some related to fall hazards, machine guarding, lockout/tagout, fire safety hazards and fit testing. The penalties total $364,078.
“Placement in OSHA's Severe Violator Program is a designation given to employers that show disregard for employee safety and health,” said OSHA Area Director Diego Alvarado Jr. in El Paso, Texas in the press release. “The company needs to immediately evaluate its facility for safety and health hazards, implement safety procedures and train workers on how to follow those procedures.”
The SVEP was established in 2010 and replaces the Enhanced Enforcement Program. According to OSHA’s website, “Enforcement actions for severe violator cases include mandatory follow-up inspections, increased company/corporate awareness of OSHA enforcement, corporate-wide agreements, where appropriate, enhanced settlement provisions, and federal court enforcement under Section 11(b) of the OSH Act.”
Vinton Steel employs about 400 workers.