Repeat OSHA Violations Lead to Big Fine for Foundry

An OSHA workplace safety inspection uncovered multiple repeat violations of work safety requirements that will cost a Franklin, OH foundry $143,000 in penalties. According to OSHA, the company exposed employees to amputation, hearing loss, and respiratory hazards and failed to train employees on the hazardous chemicals used in the workplace as required under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).

In 2013, the foundry was fined $170,107 for 33 OSHA violations, including failure to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and failure to train workers on the hazards they face on the job as required under a number of OSHA’s 29 CFR standards.

After a follow-up inspection, OSHA issues 12 repeat violations, 2 serious violations, and one other-than serious violation, according to the Office of Public Affairs news release.

“The company needs to re-evaluate its safety and health programs and ensure workers are provided the training and equipment necessary to protect them from injury and illness on the job,” said Ken Montgomery, area director of OSHA’s Cincinnati office.

See the release for a full list of violations. Major OSHA noncompliance issues include:

• Employees operating machinery without safety guards in place
• Failure to train employees on hazardous chemicals used on site
• Not requiring PPE for head and face protection and allowing workers to use damaged PPE
• Not training employees on noise hazards or evaluating workers for occupational exposure to noise

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Tags: and, fines, osha, penalties, workplace safety