Region 5 News Release: 11-597-CHI
May 3, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4807
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites The Model Pattern and Foundry Co.
of Cincinnati with 32 safety and health violations

CINCINNATI – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited The Model Pattern and Foundry Co. of Cincinnati with 32 safety and health violations. The aluminum and bronze foundry faces penalties of $82,170 following a February inspection.

"Failing to take precautions to guard against machinery and electrical hazards unnecessarily puts workers at risk of serious injury," said Richard Gilgrist, OSHA's area director in Cincinnati. "Employers are responsible for recognizing the hazards that exist in their facilities and taking necessary precautions to ensure that OSHA standards are met."

Twenty-five serious violations include failing to properly guard machinery and electrical hazards, have safety procedures for locking out equipment to be serviced, have proper hearing conservation protocols, and provide and ensure the use of proper personal protective equipment by workers. 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.

Seven other-than-serious violations include failing to make records required by OSHA readily available to inspectors and to assess workplace hazards to determine adequate protective equipment needed 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.

The inspection was initiated under OSHA's local emphasis program on primary metal industries. The Model Pattern and Foundry Co. previously had been inspected by OSHA six times. The company was cited for 19 violations during the last OSHA inspection in 2002.

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. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Cincinnati Area Office at 513-841-4132. 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.