Available Now: 2023 Schedule of Hazmat & RCRA Training
Search

Maine Autobody Plant Faces $400K in OSHA Citations

Posted on 4/13/2021 by Lauren Scott

An autobody manufacturing facility in Waterville, ME has been issued citations from US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA noted two willful and 10 serious alleged violations of Fall Protection and Noise Safety Standards, totaling $393,992 in proposed fines.

When OSHA visited the facility, inspectors found plant employees working on top of truck bodies without proper fall protection and observed others exposed to excess noise levels while steam cleaning. These alleged violations have been cited as willful violations by the Agency.

Alleged serious violations include the company’s failure to:
  • Provide adequate training to employees on auto lifts and respiratory protection.
  • Prevent struck-by and crushing hazards from homemade attachments used on auto lifts.
  • Guard machinery to prevent employees from contact with operational machinery parts
  • Determine and select the required personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers by conducting a hazard assessment.
  • Provide adequate protective eyewear for individuals near a welding area that does not have noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields.
  • Establish and implement a respiratory protection program, including evaluations of employees' medical fitness to wear respirators, fit-testing, and adequate maintenance and storage of respirators.
  • Secure machines to prevent unnecessary movement.
  • Properly guard electrical openings and avoid using flexible cords and/or cables as a substitute for fixed electrical wiring.
The company has 15 business days from notification of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
 

OSHA’s Top 10 Violations of 2020

Fall protection and respiratory protection are among the top 10 most-cited OSHA violations year after year. In 2020, respiratory protection jumped from fifth to third place on the list with 2,649 violations. Fall protection topped the list once again with 5,424 violations cited. The Fall Protection Standard includes failure to provide proper PPE and fall arrest systems for employees.

OSHA’s annual release of the top 10 list has become a staple of National Safety Council (NSC) events. Although it normally coincides with NSC’s annual Safety Congress & Expo, the latest list was unveiled during an NSC webinar in February 2021.
 

OSHA Safety, Hazmat, and HAZWOPER Training Anytime, Anywhere

From respirators and PPE to hazard communication and lithium batteries, find safety training you need to protect your staff and maintain compliance with OSHA safety standards in 29 CFR at Lion.com/OSHA. 

Courses are interactive and self-paced, and employees can stop and start as needed to fit training into their day-to-day work schedules.
 

Tags: fall protection, fines, osha, penalties, respiratory protection, safety, violations, workplace safety

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I had a positive experience utilizing this educational program. It was very informative, convenient, and rewarding from a career perspective.

John Gratacos

Logistics Manager

The instructor's energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the subject make the class a great learning experience!

Brian Martinez

Warehouse Operator

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

I was recently offered an opportunity to take my training through another company, but I politely declined. I only attend Lion Technology workshops.

Stephanie Gilliam

Material Production/Logistics Manager

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide as a quick reference to the most common HAZWOPER questions, and get course recommendations for managers and personnel who are in need of OSHA-required HAZWOPER training.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.