The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Amer Industrial Technologies Inc. in Wilmington, Del., for alleged safety and health violations, proposing $63,750 in penalties.
OSHA initiated its investigation on March 18 in response to a complaint alleging unsafe work conditions. As a result, the company has been cited with 33 serious violations, with a penalty of $61,250, and eight other-than-serious violations, with a penalty of $2,500.
The serious violations include fall hazards, unsafe storage of flammable and combustible liquids, unguarded machinery, lack of welding screens, lack of caution signs, lack of crane and sling inspections, obstructed exits, inadequate training, lack of safety restraints for compressed air hoses, numerous electrical hazards, lack of a hearing conservation program and lack of a hazard communication program. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.
The other-than-serious violations include blocked fire extinguishers, the absence of ‘no smoking’ signs, the company’s failure to take air samples to determine employee exposure to hexavalent chromium and the company’s failure to maintain required records.
“These violations leave Amer Industrial Technologies employees vulnerable to workplace accidents that can cause injury and possible death,” said Domenick Salvatore, area director of OSHA’s
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The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.