Powder Coating Company Cited for 20 Alleged Violations
Acting on a referral about alleged safety hazards, OSHA opened an inspection in August 2011 and cited 18 serious violations and two other-than-serious violations. Among the serious violations alleged by OSHA were failure to ensure that workers used eye, face and hand protection while working with products and cleaners containing phosphoric acid, calcium carbonate and carbon black, not training workers in the use of proper PPE, not provide an eyewash/shower unit for workers exposed to corrosive materials and failure to develop and implement a confined space program.
Other alleged violations include not posting permit-required confined space signage on equipment such as dryers, ovens and wash tanks, where workers could be exposed to oxygen-deficient atmospheres, allowing powder coating material to accumulate on the floor and equipment due to poor housekeeping and exposing workers to fall, electrical and other combustible dust hazards. Two other-than-serious violations allege failure to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program for employees required to wear respirators while performing powder coating operations.
OSHA’s proposed fines totaled $55,200. [NuTech Powder Coaters LLC, Newnan, GA, Jan. 12, 2012].
