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Region 3 News Release: III-98-10-16-178-WVA
Fri., October 16, 1998
Contact: Kate Dugan, (215) 596-1147

The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited INCO Alloys International, Huntington, W.Va., for alleged violations of safety and health standards and proposed $67,000 in penalties. The company manufactures speciality metals and alloys.

According to Stanley H. Elliott, area director of the Charleston OSHA office, the company was cited for one willful violation, with a proposed penalty of $55,000, and four serious violations with a penalty of $12,000.

"This employer failed to equip a 36 foot shear with guards," said Elliott. "Although the company received the machinery with guards in place, they removed the guards to allow convenience in the continual use of the machine. This action presents a significant hazard to employees."

The serious violations include the use of non-approved respirators and inadequate guarding on other shears in the plant.

The inspection was initiated in April 1998 as the result of complaints.

Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the OSH act and regulations.

A serious violation involves a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to either decide to comply, to request an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The inspection was conducted by the Charleston OSHA area office, 405 Capitol St., Suite 407, Charleston, W.Va. 25301, telephone number (304) 347-5937.

This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD). Telephone: 1-800-927-9273.