Region 6 News Release:   USDL-OSHA-01-01-04
Thurs., Jan. 4, 2001
Contact: Diana Petterson
PHONE: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222

OSHA CITES SOUTHWESTERN WIRE INC., IN NORMAN, OKLA., FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS; PENALTIES PROPOSED AT $138,150

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Southwestern Wire, Inc., of Norman, Okla. for alleged safety and health violations and proposed penalties of $138,150, announced the U.S. Department of Labor.

Southwestern Wire, a non-union company, employs 160 workers at the Norman site. It is a wire fabrication facility which processes wire rod into galvanized wire and chain-link fabric.

The OSHA investigation began on July 5, 2000, in response to a complaint alleging unsafe conditions during an emergency response to a large spill of hydrochloric acid.

The company was cited for two willful violations, six serious violations, and seven other-than-serious violations of OSHA safety and health standards.

One willful violation is for an inadequate emergency response and other willful is for deficiencies in training for emergency response, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, respiratory protection, and blood borne pathogens.

The serious citations are for deficiencies in the emergency response plan, medical surveillance for emergency response team members, failure to offer Hepatitis B vaccinations, lack of training for lead and cadmium, and lack of personal protective equipment for dip tank work.

The other-than-serious citations are for deficiencies in the respiratory protection program.

Southwestern Wire has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the Oklahoma City area director or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.