OSHA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 7/29

The OSH Act of 1970 requires US employers to provide a safe, healthy workplace for every employee. Failure to comply with applicable OSHA health and safety standards can easily lead to preventable injuries and fatal accidents at workplaces of all types.

The enforcement actions highlighted below provide insight into how and why OSHA issues citations for workplace safety violations. All violations discussed are alleged only unless we say otherwise.

We withhold the names of organizations and individuals subject to enforcement to protect their privacy. Check out OSHA’s latest list of the 10 most-cited safety standards here.

A metal powder coating company faces $338,094 in penalties for forty-four alleged workplace health and safety violations.

OSHA’s December 2023 inspection allegedly identified thirty-nine serious violations and five other-than-serious violations of OSHA regulations. The Agency said the company failed to:

• Develop and implement a hazard communication program.
• Protect employees from inhalation hazards.
• Have an effective hearing conservation program.
• Maintain a spray booth.
• Establish and maintain regulated areas for hazardous substances.
• Provide respirators and ensuring proper usage.
• Maintain electrical equipment as required.
• Protect employees against harmful dust overexposure.

Unchecked exposure to the chemicals found in this inspection can cause birth defects, skin lesions, and cancer, lead to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, permanent cognitive impairment, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and permanently scar lung tissue.

An ink manufacturer paid a $110,000 penalty to abate OSHA-alleged violations after a worker reportedly suffered first- and second-degree burns.

Per the Agency, a flash fire erupted in an industrial mixing vessel containing flammable liquids and vapors as an employee manually added combustible powder ingredients. Inspectors say flames exited the mixing vessel’s charging port and burned the employee.

OSHA cited the company for multiple violations of Process Safety Management requirements related to the handling of highly hazardous chemicals, for failing to provide effective training on those hazards and combustible dust hazards, and exposed workers to fall hazards. The company paid $110,000 in penalties to abate the alleged violations.

A waste removal and recycling company faces $367k in penalties related to alleged HazCom, training, and energy control violations.

OSHA inspectors investigated the employer in follow-up to an injury report that described an incident that preceded severe injuries. While servicing a vehicle, the engine pulled on the worker’s jacket sleeve. OSHA alleged that the employer had not ensured energy control procedures were in place and used before the worker began servicing the vehicle. The Agency performed two follow-up inspections, and inspectors discovered violations they had cited the company for previously in 2023.

This time around, OSHA cited the company for failure to:

• Provide hazard communication training.
• Implement energy control procedures.
• Install machine guards adequately.
• Implement a hearing conservation program.
• Train forklift operators.
• Provide fall protection on an elevated platform.

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