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Region 5 News Release: 12-668-CHI
April 25, 2012
Contact: Scott Allen      Rhonda Burke
Phone:       312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov      burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Wrayco Industries
in Stow, Ohio, for 14 health and safety violations

STOW, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Wrayco Industries Inc. in Stow with 14 serious safety and health violations. OSHA initiated an inspection on Jan. 19 in response to a complaint alleging numerous safety violations. Proposed fines total $51,300.

"Wrayco Industries has demonstrated a lack of commitment to worker safety by failing to ensure that energy sources were isolated and locked out prior to initiating maintenance and servicing," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "OSHA is committed to protecting workers, especially when employers fail to do so."

Eleven safety violations include failing to develop machine-specific lockout/tagout procedures to control hazardous energy, train employees to use portable fire extinguishers, adequately guard equipment, use electrical equipment according to labels and listings, and install stair railings. Additionally, three serious health violations involve failing to implement a hearing conservation program, a written respiratory protection program and a written hazard communication program. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The Ohio-based structural steel manufacturer of fuel and hydraulic tanks previously was inspected in 2001 and 2010.

Wrayco Industries has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Cleveland Area Office at 216-615-4266.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.