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OSHA News Release
2006 - 03/30/2006 - OSHA Cites Tooling Company for Exposing Workers to Health and Safety Hazards at Muscle Shoals, Ala., Service Center |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 4 News Release: 06-563-ATL (65) Date: Thursday, March 30, 2006 Contact: Roberto Sanchez Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: (205) 731-1534 (404) 562-2076 OSHA Cites Tooling Company for Exposing Workers to Health and Safety Hazards at Muscle Shoals, Ala., Service Center
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Michigan-based Leitz Tooling Systems for failing to protect workers from chemical and safety hazards at the company's Muscle Shoals service center. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $48,650. "The working conditions at this facility pose a serious threat to workers' health and safety," said Roberto Sanchez, OSHA's Birmingham area director. OSHA issued 21 serious citations against the company after a December 2005 inspection of the shop, where employees sharpen and recondition saw blades and wood milling tools. Inspectors determined that employees had not received appropriate training about safe handling of, or adverse health effects associated with, the chemicals used at the center. Additionally, employees were reportedly not provided personal protective equipment while working with corrosive chemicals. Emergency eyewash or safety shower stations were also not available in the event workers were burned or splashed. OSHA further determined that employees were exposed to: electrical shocks from conductive metal working fluids which flowed over equipment; slipping hazards where fluid accumulated on the floor; and amputation hazards from unguarded cutting machines. Inspectors also found that the service center lacked an emergency exit. The company has 15 days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Staff from the Birmingham OSHA office located at 950 22nd St. N., Suite 1050, conducted the inspection; phone: (205) 731-1534. 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 workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ### U.S. Labor Department (DOL) 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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