Cincinnati, Ohio –The Occupational <link _top>Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may fine a Cincinnati <link _top>foundry up to $128,700 for alleged multiple violations of federal workplace <link _top>safety and health standards.
OSHA chose to inspect the <link _top>foundry as part of a local program that emphasizes health and <link _top>safety in the <link _top>primary metal industry. The OSHA inspection began in January 2008 and uncovered a large number of violations.
In total, the inspection revealed an alleged 44 serious violations, including 33 <link _top>safety violations and 11 health regulation problems. “Serious” citations are defined by OSHA as those that may cause serious physical harm or death, which the employer either knew about or should have known about.
The issues uncovered by the inspection include <link _top>asbestos and <link _top>silica exposure issues, failing to warn employees about hazardous chemicals, fire hazards, lack of periodic internal <link _top>safety inspections, lack of personal protective <link _top>equipment, fall hazards, <link _top>energy <link _top>control, <link _top>training deficiencies, machine guarding, and electrical hazards.
One of the most dangerous violations includes the <link _top>asbestos exposure allegations. <link _top>Asbestos was commonly used throughout the twentieth century in many types of construction products due to its fire <link _top>resistance and physical strength. The <link _top>toxic <link _top>material was also used in thousands of commercial, industrial, and domestic products.
However, the known dangers of <link _top>asbestos, including its ability to cause cancer when the <link _top>fibers are inhaled or ingested, has resulted in strict regulations controlling how <link _top>asbestos is handled in the <link _top>workplace. Where <link _top>asbestos exposure is a possibility, protective <link _top>equipment should be worn to prevent inhalation of the dangerous <link _top>fibers.
Exposure to <link _top>asbestos can cause serious and terminal diseases, including asbestosis and an aggressive and treatment-resistant cancer called mesothelioma. <link _top>Silica is also known to cause similar health issues when inhaled. Both <link _top>substances can cause a chronic lung disease characterized by gradual loss of lung function over an extended period of time.
Richard Gilgrist, director of the OSHA’s area office in Cincinnati, says, “Handling dangerous chemicals, electrical hazards, and machine guarding problems are issues that should not exist at any work site. Employers must remain dedicated to keeping the <link _top>workplace safe and healthful, or face close OSHA scrutiny.”
