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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2002 - 12/24/2002 - OSHA Cites Attalla, Ala., Plant for Lack of Hearing Protection |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 4 News Release ATL: 02-244 Tues., Dec. 24, 2002 Contact: Jo Anne Burgoyne Harold Ciancio Phone: (404) 562-2076 (205) 731-1534 ext 0 OSHA Cites Attalla, Ala., Plant for Lack of Hearing Protection Company also cited for alleged safety hazards; $55,150 in proposed penalties BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Attalla, Ala.-based Choice Fabricators, Inc., for exposing employees to the risk of hearing loss and other serious safety and health hazards. The citations carry proposed penalties totaling $55,150. Inspectors from OSHA's Birmingham area office began a health inspection at the plant on Aug. 12, and a safety inspection on Oct. 16, based on the facility's high lost workday injury and illness rate. Findings from the health inspection showed employees were exposed daily to noise levels that sometimes exceeded 100 decibels, well above the permissible limit of 85 decibels where hearing loss may occur. "Prolonged exposure to excessive noise is one of the most pervasive occupational health hazards," said Roberto Sanchez, OSHA's Birmingham area director. "Company managers knew about the risks to employees, but they decided not to implement a hearing conservation program." The company received one willful citation with a proposed penalty of $38,500 for failing to establish and maintain an audiometric testing program. A testing program monitors exposed workers' hearing abilities and provides an opportunity to educate them about protecting their hearing. OSHA issues a willful citation when the alleged violation is committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The company also received eight serious citations with proposed penalties totaling $16,650. Alleged health violations include failing to provide adequate eye protection and emergency eye flushing facilities and proper medical evaluations for employees using respirators, failure to provide safety training and inadequate records maintenance. Alleged safety violations include failing to remove easily ignitable material, such as weeds and long, dry grass from the area around liquid propane gas containers and failure to provide a fire extinguisher in the area. Other serious citations were for machine-guarding hazards and for failure to implement "lockout/tagout" procedures to make sure that machines do not start up when workers are doing maintenance or repairs on them. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. Choice Fabricators has 15 working days to contest the OSHA citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA's Birmingham area office is located at 2047 Canyon Rd., phone: (205) 731-1534. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses, and protecting America's workers. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ###
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