Region 4 News Release: 11-838-ATL (289)
June 20, 2011
Contact: Michael D'Aquino Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078
Email: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov wald.michael@dol.gov

Atlanta manufacturer of products for hospitality and travel industries cited
by US Department of Labor's OSHA for safety and health violations

ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Levent Industries in Atlanta for 18 safety and health violations following a February health inspection that began as part of a national emphasis program on silica hazards. It was later expanded to include a safety inspection after investigators identified alleged safety hazards. Proposed penalties total $49,000.

The company was cited for 13 serious safety violations, including exposing workers to explosive hazards by improperly using polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, pipe to transport compressed air; using compressed air at greater than 30 pounds per square inch to clean equipment; having an emergency door that could not open quickly enough in case of fire; and having a lockout/tagout program for energy sources that lacked machine-specific procedures. Four of the violations relate to a lack of machine guards, as guards were missing on production equipment, a power press, a bench grinder and a bench grinder with an abrasive wheel. Additionally, electrical hazards include using two outlet boxes as extension cords, blocking electrical breaker boxes, using an extension cord that was missing its ground pin, using an electrical breaker box with missing blanks and using extension cords as fixed wiring.

Two serious health violations were cited for failing to provide welding curtains for the protection of adjacent employees and to provide a hazard communication program for employees. 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.

Three other-than-serious violations – one safety and two health – with no monetary penalties were cited for not having a portable fire extinguisher that was mounted to allow employee access, not establishing a hearing conservation program and not establishing a written respiratory protection program for employees. 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.

"Management needs to take a comprehensive approach to correct these violations, which are endangering workers' safety and health," said Andre Richards, director of OSHA's Atlanta-West Area Office. "Many of these violations can be easily corrected, while not correcting them could result in serious injury or death."

Levent Industries does business as Architectural Brass Co. and manufactures a variety of products out of metal and wood at its location on Hollowell Parkway for the hospitality, gaming and travel industries. Items produced include luggage carts, trash and recycling units, benches and planters.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Atlanta-West office, 2400 Herodian Way, Suite 250, Smyrna, Ga. 30080; telephone 770-984-8700. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

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.