OSHA Wrap Up: December 2014
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is responsible for the regulation of safe and healthy work environments for working men and women by means of enforcing standards and conducting training, education, and assistance. Through numerous acts and statutes, OSHA holds companies to a standard of working conditions that is both beneficial and safe for both employees and employers. Often, companies either willingly or inadvertently disregard certain standards set forth by OSHA thereby violating the mandated regulations. When this occurs, OSHA steps in and assesses the extent of the violations and cites them in order to prevent further occurrences of such violations.
The following companies were cited with various OSHA violations in the past month:
The following companies were cited with various OSHA violations in the past month:
- In Evanston, Ill., workers at Arturo's Painting and Restoration Inc., were exposed to lead paint levels up to 1.2 times greater than the permissible exposure limit. In addition to the exposure, Arturo's failed to determine the exposure levels prior to having their workers remove the lead paint with sanders and scrapers. Upon OSHA's investigation of the site, the company was cited with 17 serious safety violations. Arturo's Painting and Restoration Inc. faces a proposed fine of $46,000 for the violations.
- In Fostoria, Ohio, three workers at All-Set Roofing and Construction Inc. were exposed to fall risks at 15 feet up to install shingles and without fall protection. The Bowling Green Company had been previously cited for fall hazards at another job site. OSHA issues repeat violations if similar violations occur within five years of the original citation. OSHA cited the Bowling Green Company with proposed penalties of over $44,000.
- In Cleveland, Ohio, after complaints of unsafe work conditions, OSHA inspectors uncovered dangerous levels of lead and copper fumes at Republic Metals Inc. OSHA identified the company's lack of engineering controls that would have reduced the exposure levels and failure to train employees on proper techniques for dealing with exposure hazards. Additionally, the company was cited for a lack of personal protective equipment and excessive noise exposure. OSHA cited Republic Metals Inc. with proposed penalties of over $42,000.
Compliance is not only important for the secure operation of a construction site or a plant but for the overall safety and protection of the site's employees. For training and extensive courses, visit GreenEdu.com to maintain compliance with all such OSHA standards and requirements.
