Region 1 News Release: 13-2338-BOS/BOS 2013-216  
Dec. 11, 2013  
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Andre Bowser  
Phone: 617-565-2075 617-565-2074  
Email: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov bowser.andre.j@dol.gov

Plantsville, Conn., automotive metal forging company cited by the US Labor  
Department's OSHA for repeat and serious safety and health violations  
The JJ Ryan Corp. Rex Forge Division faces $112,068 in proposed fines

HARTFORD, Conn. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited The JJ Ryan Corp. Rex Forge Division, a Plantsville-based metal forging company, for five repeat and 16 serious safety and health violations. OSHA's Hartford Area Office began inspecting the work site in May as part of the agency's Site-Specific Targeting program.

"The safety and health violations are prolific, and this company should be aware of the potential hazards at a work site that forges steel for the automotive industry," said Warren Simpson, OSHA's area director in Hartford. "Safety and health protocol must be paramount and in place to protect workers."

The safety inspection resulted in citations for two repeat violations that carry a $10,098 fine; 12 serious violations carry a $59,400 fine. The health inspection resulted in citations for three repeat violations with a $23,760 fine and four serious violations with an $18,810 fine.

In the safety inspection, two repeat safety violations involve using an extension cord instead of the proper fixed wiring and using damaged electrical cords. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. The serious safety violations include fall hazards, electrical hazards and a lack of adequate training and safe work procedures to protect workers on or near energized electrical equipment. Additionally, the company failed to inspect and properly tag chain slings used to lift forging dies and ensure blades on a fan had adequate guarding to protect workers from injury. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

In the health inspection, the repeat health violations involve failing to have a written hazard communication program available for workers and to use tongue guards properly on machinery. The serious health violations include failing to train workers properly on how to avoid hearing loss, and ensure the use of noncombustible or flameproof screens to protect workers engaged in welding operations from exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the generated electric arc.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its failure-to-abate notices, citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet informally with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/JJRyanRexForge_941230_1126_13.pdf* and http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/JJRyanRexForge_910128_1126_13.pdf*.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Hartford Area Office at 860-240-3152.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 292-693-7828 or TTY 292-693-7755.

* Accessibility Assistance Contact OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.