Region 4 News Release: 13-1604-ATL
Sept. 3, 2013
Contact: Michael D'Aquino Lindsay Williams
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078
Email: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov williams.lindsay.l@dol.gov

Total Building Services Group in Marietta, Ga., cited by US Department
of Labor's OSHA for serious safety and health violations

MARIETTA, Ga. – Total Building Services Group in Marietta has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 10 safety and health violations. OSHA opened an inspection in April under the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which directs enforcement resources to workplaces with higher-than-average rates of injuries and illnesses. Proposed penalties total $42,120.

Nine serious safety and health violations, with $41,900 in penalties, involve failing to train workers on the hazards associated with combustible dust; ensure that grounding and bonding was maintained on the ductwork and dust collector used to capture wood dust; train workers on the proper use of a fire extinguisher; provide appropriate eye protection for workers who wear prescription glasses; ensure hearing protection was worn; provide training for workers exposed to noise greater than the permissible exposure limit; identify permit-required confined spaces with signage; ensure proper explosion-proof lighting was used; and prevent exposure to slip hazards. 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.

A $220 penalty for a repeat violation is being cited for failing to provide Appendix D, which contains information on respirator use, to workers who voluntarily wore dust masks and disposable respirators. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. The same violation was cited in April 2010.

"Employers should not wait for a catastrophic event or an OSHA inspection before they act to protect their workers from serious injuries or illnesses," said Christi Griffin, director of OSHA's Atlanta-West Area Office.

Total Building Services Group provides turnkey framing services and architectural millwork to builders and clients. 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.

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 Atlanta-West Area Office at 678-903-7301.

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 216-893-7828 or TTY 216-893-7755.