The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently fined and cited an auto parts manufacturing company in Ohio and a Texas-based chemical company for multiple safety violations at their workplaces that exposed workers to a multitude of safety hazards and risks, including electrical and burn injuries.
Sanoh America, headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, was already on the radar of OSHA investigators when they inspected the Findlay facility late last year pursuant to a report that fire had broken out in that plant’s production area earlier in the year. Similar concerns led to the agency issuing several violations to the company in 2009 for safety infractions at its Mount Vernon facility.
The visit last October resulted in investigators fining the company in excess of $80,000. Inspectors stated that, owing to a failure to isolate energy sources, conduct inspections as required and engage in safety-related work practices and periodic testing, the plant had an unacceptably high risk of equipment accidents and worker injuries.
Sanoh was cited for 13 violations, with 12 of those being deemed “serious.”
Magnablend Chemical was cited for seven serious violations at its Waxahachie factory in Texas in connection with an explosion and fire that occurred there last year.
An OSHA spokesperson says that, “It is fortunate that no one was injured” in the fire, which investigators say broke out because of an inadequate ventilation system.
A workplace injury, whether owing to a construction accident or other cause, can bring serious consequences. Contact an experienced injury attorney to discuss benefits, compensation and strong representation in any accident claim.
Source: HazardEx, “OSHA fines US auto parts and chemicals companies for fires and safety violations,” April 2, 2012