Missouri manufacturer faces $124,000 OSHA fine for safety and health violations

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Porta-King Building Systems in Montgomery City, Mo., for workplace safety and health violations. Proposed penalties total $124,000.

An OSHA inspection, initiated in response to a complaint, revealed two alleged willful and six alleged serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The willful violations address hazards associated with spray painting outside of a predetermined, designated spray booth, and the use of powered industrial truck fork extensions without manufacturer notification, approval and determination of lifting capacity. OSHA issues a willful violation when an employer exhibits plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

The serious violations address hazards associated with storage of flammable liquids, improper training for and use of powered industrial trucks, the lack of an appropriate respiratory protection program and the lack of a chemical material safety data sheet. OSHA issues a serious violation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which an employer knew or should have known.

"Our inspection revealed safety hazards associated with the improper use of powered industrial trucks and exposing workers to potential health hazards by failing to provide an appropriate respiratory protection program," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "It is imperative that employers take the necessary steps to eliminate hazards and provide a safe working environment."

Porta-King Building Systems has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in St. Louis or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.