OSHA Cites Alabama Fabricator for Lack of Hearing Protection

OSHA has cited an Attalla, Alabama-based metal fabricator for exposing employees to the risk of hearing loss and other serious safety and health hazards. The citations carry proposed penalties totaling $55,150.

Inspectors from OSHA's Birmingham area office began a health inspection at the plant on Aug. 12, and a safety inspection on Oct. 16, based on the facility's high lost workday injury and illness rate. Findings from the health inspection showed employees were exposed daily to noise levels that sometimes exceeded 100 decibels, well above the permissible limit of 85 decibels where hearing loss may occur.

The company received one willful citation with a proposed penalty of $38,500 for failing to establish and maintain an audiometric testing program. This program monitors exposed workers' hearing abilities and provides an opportunity to educate them about protecting their hearing.

The company also received eight serious citations with proposed penalties totaling $16,650. Alleged health violations include failing to provide adequate eye protection and emergency eye flushing facilities and proper medical evaluations for employees using respirators, failure to provide safety training, and inadequate records maintenance.

Alleged safety violations include failing to remove easily ignitable material, such as weeds and long, dry grass from the area around liquid propane gas containers and failure to provide a fire extinguisher in the area. Other serious citations were for machine-guarding hazards and for failure to implement "lockout/tagout" procedures to make sure that machines do not start up when workers are doing maintenance or repairs on them.

For more information contact Jo Anne Burgoyne (Phone: 404-562-2076) or Harold Ciancio (Phone: 205-731-1534 ext. 0) at OSHA's Birmingham area office.

Proposed penalties total $55,150.

Source: OSHA Region 4 News Release, ATL: 02-244, Dec. 24, 2002