Kennedy Valve, a division of McWane Inc., faces a total of $68,000 in proposed fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for a cross-section of safety and health hazards at its
The company was cited for a total of 30 alleged serious violations of safety and health standards following an inspection conducted under OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which is aimed at workplaces with higher than average injury and illness rates.
"The citations address hazards associated with cranes, scaffolds, flammable liquids, forklifts, personal protective equipment, machine guarding, electrical equipment and exit access," said Christopher R. Adams, OSHA's area director in
Specifically, the citations encompass failure to maintain overhead hoists and cranes, mobile scaffolds and mobile ladder stands; lack of safe access to elevated work platforms; unlabeled exit access doors; uncovered containers of flammable liquids; not having fire extinguishers where flammable liquids and gas were dispensed; unbonded and ungrounded containers of flammable liquids; lack of personal protective equipment for employees working with caustics, chainsaws and electrical equipment; lack of an emergency eyewash station; an inadequately maintained forklift and forklift passageway; unguarded moving machine parts; ungrounded electrical equipment; inadequately maintained paint spray booths; and failure to properly lock out overhead cranes.
A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply with them, to request and participate in an informal conference with OSHA's area director or to contest the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
