Region 3 News Release: 12-593-PHI (osha 12-038)
April 5, 2012
Contact: Leni Fortson Joanna Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5102 215-861-5101
Email: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA proposes more than $45,000 in fines
to Wheatland, Pa., company for exposing workers to safety hazards

WHEATLAND, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited ACCI Acquisition Co. LLC, doing business as cylinder caps and related compressed gas cylinder products manufacturer American Cap Co. LLC, for 18 serious and four other-than-serious safety and health violations at the company's Wheatland facility. Proposed penalties total $45,100 following an inspection conducted under OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program for industries with high injury and illness rates.

The serious violations involve failing to properly guard machines, ensure that spray guns are connected to the powder coating spray booth's ventilation system, provide effective welding equipment, ensure that compressed air is reduced to 30 pounds per square inch, provide gauges to determine required air flow inside the spray booth, equip the spray booth with an automatic sprinkler, provide safe tools to clean flammable residues from the interior of the spray booth, ensure that aisles and passageways are clear, protect workers from direct exposure to laser radiation, provide guarding on a laser cutting machine and provide proper eye protection for employees working around laser radiation. 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.

The other-than-serious violations are failing to record injuries and illnesses, illuminate exit signs and provide fire extinguishers that are mounted and easily accessible. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

"Each of these violations left workers vulnerable to hazards that could cause serious injuries or quite possibly death," said Theresa A. Naim, OSHA's area director in Erie. "Employers have a legal responsibility to provide employees with safe and healthful workplaces."

ACCI Acquisition has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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 Erie Area Office at 814-874-5150.

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, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.