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Region 3 News Release: 12-1723-PHI (osha 12-102)
Aug. 23, 2012
Contact: Leni Fortson   Joanna Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5102   215-861-5101
Email: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov   hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Phoenixville, Pa.,
die manufacturer for serious workplace hazards
Danco Precision faces proposed penalties of $55,500

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Danco Precision Inc. in Phoenixville with 14 safety violations found at the company's manufacturing facility. OSHA's March investigation, initiated as part of the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program for industries with high injury and illness rates, resulted in $55,500 in proposed penalties.

Thirteen serious violations involve failing to control potentially hazardous energy, have and implement a hazard communication plan that includes employee training, provide barriers to protect employees from falls, conduct a personal protective equipment assessment and provide protective equipment for various operations, provide and certify powered industrial truck training, provide hand tools to clear machine scraps, provide material safety data sheets, implement die-setting procedures, inspect alloy steel slings, address deficiencies with mechanical power presses including a lack of proper guarding, use safety blocks when setting dies, perform inspections of all presses and properly label containers of chemicals. A serious violation occurs when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The citations carry $52,500 in penalties.

"These violations pose serious risks to Danco Precision's workers and must be corrected immediately," said Albert D'Imperio, director of OSHA's Philadelphia Area Office. "OSHA will continue to hold employers legally responsible when they fail to comply with the law and keep workers safe."

One other-than serious violation is failing to create and post an annual summary of injuries and illnesses. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm. The citation carries a $3,000 penalty.

Danco Precision Inc. employs approximately 40 workers who manufacture lamination dies, metal stampings, electrical magnetic cores, carbide dies, specialty tools and precision machine parts that are sold internationally.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties 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 Philadelphia office at 215-597-4955.

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 or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.