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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing $121,800 in penalties for 40 safety and health violations related in part to painting operations at two Alabama manufacturing plants.
OSHA began its safety investigation at Tri-Cities Manufacturing Inc., in Tuscumbia, AL, as part of its national emphasis program on amputations and later expanded the probe to include a health inspection. A safety and health inspection was later initiated at Tool Masters Inc., of Tuscumbia, once it was determined that the plants shared equipment and employees.
“Employers are responsible for the safety and health of their workplaces, and this owner needs to take the steps necessary to eliminate workplace hazards,” said Roberto Sanchez, OSHA’s area director in Birmingham.
A TMC spokesman was unavailable for comment Wednesday, the company said. The company has no prior record with OSHA.
Painting Violations
Health inspections at Tri-Cities and Tool Masters yielded seven serious violations for each company with a combined $48,300 in proposed penalties. The hazards for both companies include failing to control noise, provide protective equipment, provide a hazard communications program, and train workers in chemical exposures.
At Tri-Cities, OSHA documents noted:
• Spray booth walls and ceilings were made of wood, plywood and other combustible materials, rather than steel, concrete or masonry.
• Spray booths lacked sprinkler systems.
• No protective equipment, protective clothing or respirators were “provided, used [or] maintained” for employees working with corrosive chemicals.
• There was no respiratory program and no medical evaluations for employees working in the powder coatings booths or the spray booths.
• Painters who were required to wear N95 dust masks or half-face masks were not trained in how to use them, how long to use them, or how to fit, test, store or maintain them.
• Engineering controls were not developed or used to minimize excessive particulate exposures, leaving workers exposed to total dust at 1.4 times the Permissible Exposure Limit.
• Employees were not trained or instructed in the hazards of titanium dioxide, methyl ethyl ketone, xylene, iron oxide and other flammable or corrosive chemicals to which they were exposed.
• Spray booths lacked gauges to indicate whether the required air velocity was maintained.
Safety Citations
OSHA cited Tri-Cities with 15 serious safety violations and Tool Masters with six serious safety violations for a combined $72,100 in proposed penalties. The allegations include failing to lock out/tag out energy sources for equipment; remove blocks around fire extinguishers and exit doors; provide machine guarding; and address various electrical deficiencies.
OSHA also cited Tri-Cities with two other-than-serious safety violations for allegedly failing to complete OSHA 300 logs for two years. These violations carry $1,400 in proposed penalties. Also, Tri-Cities received one and Tool Masters received two other-than-serious health violations with no proposed penalties.
A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
About the Company
Tri-Cities Manufacturing Inc. describes itself as “a highly diversified contract manufacturer, capable of supplying clients with a wide variety of services and materials.” The company’s services include powder coating and auto painting lines, auto assembly, pad printing, ultrasonic and robotic welding, and a tool and die shop.
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