Region 3 News Release: 07-1364-PHI (osha 07-147)
Sept. 12, 2007
Contact: Leni Uddyback-Fortson
Phone: (215) 861-5102
BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Inc. for alleged safety and health violations and proposed $126,500 in penalties. The Bridgeville company is a steel foundry with 309 employees.
OSHA initiated its investigation on April 13 in response to a complaint after an employee received an electrical shock while using an abrasive chop saw. As a result of the investigation, the company was issued citations for one repeat violation with a penalty of $25,000 and 35 serious violations with penalties of $101,500.
The repeat violation was for the company's failure to install guardrails around open-sided floors and platforms more than four feet above the adjacent floor or ground level. Repeat citations are issued when an employer previously has been cited for a substantially similar violation and that citation and its penalty have become final.
The serious violations include improper storage of compressed gas cylinders; lack of personal protective equipment when employees worked with high voltage equipment and corrosive liquids; failure to develop, document and utilize procedures for the control of hazardous energy; failure to provide first aid training to employees when an infirmary, clinic or hospital was not immediately accessible; and various electrical hazards. Serious violations are issued when there is a substantial probability that death or serious injury could occur from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
"It is imperative that Universal Stainless & Alloy Products correct these hazards to ensure the safety and health of employees and to reduce the possibility of future accidents," said Robert Szymanski, director of OSHA's area office in Pittsburgh.
The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Pittsburgh Area Office; telephone (412) 395-4903.
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 assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
Sept. 12, 2007
Contact: Leni Uddyback-Fortson
Phone: (215) 861-5102
Universal Stainless & Alloy Products in Bridgeville, Pa., fined more than $126,000 for workplace safety and health hazards
BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Inc. for alleged safety and health violations and proposed $126,500 in penalties. The Bridgeville company is a steel foundry with 309 employees.
OSHA initiated its investigation on April 13 in response to a complaint after an employee received an electrical shock while using an abrasive chop saw. As a result of the investigation, the company was issued citations for one repeat violation with a penalty of $25,000 and 35 serious violations with penalties of $101,500.
The repeat violation was for the company's failure to install guardrails around open-sided floors and platforms more than four feet above the adjacent floor or ground level. Repeat citations are issued when an employer previously has been cited for a substantially similar violation and that citation and its penalty have become final.
The serious violations include improper storage of compressed gas cylinders; lack of personal protective equipment when employees worked with high voltage equipment and corrosive liquids; failure to develop, document and utilize procedures for the control of hazardous energy; failure to provide first aid training to employees when an infirmary, clinic or hospital was not immediately accessible; and various electrical hazards. Serious violations are issued when there is a substantial probability that death or serious injury could occur from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
"It is imperative that Universal Stainless & Alloy Products correct these hazards to ensure the safety and health of employees and to reduce the possibility of future accidents," said Robert Szymanski, director of OSHA's area office in Pittsburgh.
The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Pittsburgh Area Office; telephone (412) 395-4903.
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 assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.