OSHA cites Blue Ash plant for alleged safety violations ($121,800)

[Omaha Steve]

http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/NEWS01/805070408/1062/RSS1102

BY JEANNE HOUCK | [e-mail]

BLUE ASH - Trans-Acc Inc. is facing $121,800 in fines unless it can defend itself against allegations that federal investigators found 33 serious violations of workplace-safety standards after a fire at the company's Blue Ash plant killed an employee in November 2007.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it has cited Trans-Acc, a metal cleaning and coating company, for alleged electrical hazards, the unsafe handling of flammable liquids and vapors, failure to address respirator needs and hazards and not protecting employees against exposure to chromium VI.

"Employers have an essential and unavoidable responsibility to see to it that areas with flammable liquids and chemicals which carry significant health risks are made safe for their employees," said Richard Gilgrist, OSHA's area director in Sharonville.

"There is no excuse for failing to take the appropriate steps to keep the workplace safe from the hazards of explosion, fire and excessive exposure to such chemicals."

Trans-Acc may appeal the citations to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Commission rulings may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals.

FULL story at link.