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OSHA News Release
2006 - 10/23/2006 - U.S. Labor Department's OSHA Fines Canton, Mass., Employer Almost $59,000 for Exposing Employees to Explosive Chemical Hazards |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 06-1822-BOS / BOS 2006-300 Monday, October 23, 2006 Contact: John M. Chavez Phone: (617) 565-2075 U.S. Labor Department's OSHA Fines Canton, Mass., Employer Almost $59,000 for Exposing Employees to Explosive Chemical Hazards
BOSTON -- Electrochem, Inc., a battery manufacturer, faces nearly $59,000 in fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for workplace hazards at its Canton, Mass., plant. The company was cited for 27 alleged serious violations of safety and health standards following an OSHA inspection that began April 26, after a battery explosion burned an employee. "Plant workers were exposed to fire and explosion hazards, as well as numerous other hazards related to the processes involved in the manufacture of batteries," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director in Braintree, Mass. "Employers in this industry should be well aware of the inherent dangers to employees and should be taking every possible precaution to protect them from such exposures." The OSHA inspection resulted in proposed penalties of $58,950 being issued to Electrochem for alleged serious violations of safety and health standards. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. Many of the citations involve OSHA's standard covering the process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals. For example, the company is charged with not developing a compilation of process safety information on the hazardous chemicals, the technology, and the process equipment in battery manufacturing, as well as failing to perform an initial hazard evaluation of the process. The employer is also charged with failing to develop written operating procedures and failing to properly train employees involved in manufacturing. Several citations concern deficiencies in the company's emergency response program and in the personal protective equipment supplied to employees, such as respirators. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA's area office in Braintree, telephone (617) 565-6924. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ###
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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