When a company receives fines for violations found during an OSHA inspection, it is supposed to fix the issues found. In the case of a New York manufacturing company, they did not manage the combustible dust safety issues an inspector cited them for, and then they experienced a fire in the facility, leading to another inspection and larger fines. A report about the company has found that there have been four fires at the plant in the past six years, yet steps to resolve the issues have not been taken.
OSHA’s area director had this to say about the fines, “RWS Manufacturing has disregarded its employees’ safety in failing to correct an obvious fire and explosion hazard and in allowing the existence of new and recurring hazards. Especially disturbing is the fact that, since OSHA’s last inspection, a significant fire occurred in the plant’s production area in December 2015. For the safety and well-being of its employees RWS Manufacturing must take immediate, comprehensive and effective action to correct these hazards once and for all.”
In 2013 the company was cited for 21 violations and fined $204,820, but this amount was reduced to $87,800. The general manager of the plant has said they are “definitely going to contest every vowel that’s on the citation.”
The proposed fines for the repeat citations are $197,820, which the company says is high enough to force the company to shut down if they are forced to pay the full amount. The company has fifteen days to comply, request a conference, or contest the findings.
Concerned about combustible dust safety issues in your facility?
Contact a Hughes Environmental representative to learn how we can safely remove the hazard of a combustible dust explosion. Our technicians are OSHA trained and use explosion proof vacuum cleaners when handling combustible dusts.
Employees worried about their safety or who notice possible violations being committed are able to anonymously contact OSHA to file a complaint or request an inspection by calling 800-321-OSHA (6742) or visiting https://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/complain.html