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OSHA Fines Manufacturer $272,900
Following Hydrochloric Acid Spill
A North Collins, New York,
manufacturer of consumer cleaning products faces a total of $272,900
in proposed fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for a variety of alleged
health and safety hazards following a Sept. 7, 2006, hydrochloric
acid spill. The company was cited for a total of 39 alleged violations
of health and safety standards and for failing to correct a hazard
cited in a previous OSHA inspection.
"Our inspections found
serious deficiencies in the company's emergency response program,
including an incomplete emergency response plan, untrained responders,
lack of respirator procedures and absence of medical consultations
for employees who showed signs of possible exposure to hazardous
substances," said Art Dube, OSHA's area director in Buffalo.
"In addition, we identified a range of other hazards at
the plant including conditions that had been cited in earlier
OSHA inspections."
The company was issued three
willful citations, carrying $148,500 in proposed fines, for failing
to provide medical evaluations, fit-testing and training to employees
on respirator use. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed
with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, requirements
of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Seven repeat citations,
with $40,400 in proposed fines, were issued for lack of hand
protection, eyewash facilities and hazard communication training
for employees working with hazardous substances; lack of hazardous
energy control procedures and training; and electrical hazards.
OSHA cited the company for similar hazards in 2004 and 2006.
Forty-one serious violations,
with $58,000 in proposed fines, were issued for the emergency
response deficiencies as well as for hazards involving blocked
aisles, obstructed exit access, unsecured materials and equipment,
powered industrial trucks, machine guarding, compressed gas storage
and additional electrical hazards. A serious citation is issued
when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from
a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The company was fined an
additional $24,000 for failing to correct a specific hazard cited
in a previous OSHA inspection. Although it had agreed, following
a 2006 OSHA inspection, to provide quick drenching shower facilities
in the facility's "clean room," these were not provided.
One other than serious citation,
with a $2,000 proposed fine, was issued for incomplete recording
of work-related injuries and illnesses.
The company has 15 business
days from receipt of the citations to request and participate
in an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Buffalo
or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety
and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted
by OSHA's Buffalo Area Office, telephone (716) 551-3053.
Source: OSHA News Release 3/07/07
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