Region 5 News Release: 13-427-CHI
March 26, 2013
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Kyklos Bearings International for
failing to comply with asbestos removal standards at Sandusky, Ohio, plant

SANDUSKY, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Kyklos Bearings International for 13 alleged serious safety violations after an October 2012 complaint inspection found that the company failed to comply with asbestos regulations while removing boiler components at the Sandusky facility. No injuries have been reported as a result of the violations. Proposed fines total $65,000.

"Failing to require workers to wear personal protective equipment and use respirators when disposing of asbestos is unacceptable and exposes workers to unnecessary health risks," said Kim Nelson, OSHA's area director in Toledo. "Employers have a responsibility to properly train workers for tasks to which they are assigned and to monitor their exposure to hazardous materials."

A total of 13 serious safety violations of OSHA's asbestos standard were cited for failing to establish a regulated area; provide initial exposure assessment and air monitoring; provide supervision by a competent person; use approved methods for the removal and handling of asbestos-containing material; require employees wear personal protective equipment, such as protective clothing and respirators; display warning signs and labels; and provide a decontamination area, asbestos removal training and adequate waste disposal. 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.

Asbestos hazards are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry and shipyard employment. For more information see http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/standards.html.

Kyklos Bearings International is a subsidiary of HHI, headquartered in Royal Oak, Mich., and manufactures bearings for the automotive industry. About 850 workers are employed at the Sandusky facility.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and 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 Toledo Area Office at 419-259-7542.

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 202-693-7830 or TTY 202-693-7755.