The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently cited Barrington Manufacturing Corporation's sheet metal facility in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, for more than a dozen repeated and serious safety violations with proposed fines of $138,430.
A federal workplace safety inspection, which occurred only after a federal court ordered Barrington to allow inspectors to respond to complaints of unsafe working conditions and employee injuries, led to the discovery of the violations. A review of injury logs also found numerous workers had suffered lacerations to the hands and wrists.
"Employers have a legal responsibility to provide safe working conditions and allow OSHA to investigate complaints when safety is overlooked," said Karena Lorek, OSHA's acting area director in Kansas City. "Barrington Manufacturing must make immediate changes to its safety and health programs to ensure workers are protected from injuries and illnesses in its facility."
OSHA found Barrington failed to evaluate the workplace for hazards, ensure workers used eye and face protection and other personal protective equipment, train workers on proper handling and safety precautions for the hazardous chemicals used in the facility, or install adequate machine guarding.
The agency also determined the manufacturer did not develop energy-control procedures, keep spraying areas free from accumulation of combustible residues, locate spark-producing equipment at least 20 feet from the spray area, remove damaged powered industrial trucks from service, or keep chromium from accumulating on surfaces.
The company 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.
For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
