Region 5 News Release: 10-697-CHI
May 20, 2010
Contact: Scott Allen
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allenscott@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA proposes more than $200,000 in penalties
against Elyria Foundry Co. LLC for exposing workers to hazards

ELYRIA, Ohio - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Elyria Foundry Co. LLC in Elyria with 29 alleged serious and three repeat safety and health violations after a worker sustained a crushing injury requiring a lower arm amputation. Proposed penalties total $201,500.

Based on a November 2009 safety inspection, OSHA has cited the company with 25 serious and three repeat safety violations with $183,000 in proposed penalties. Some of these violations address the company's failure to provide adequate personal protective equipment to employees; failure to provide proper eye protection while working with a sulfur dioxide tank; a lack of emergency escape respirators for workers; a lack of proper guarding on power band saws; blocked exit doors; failure to provide safety latches on crane hooks; and failure to provide fall protection.

An OSHA violation is serious if death or serious physical harm can result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists. OSHA issues repeat violations if that employer has been cited previously for the same or a substantially similar condition or hazard at any other facility in federal enforcement states. The company also received three other than serious violations, including one for not paying for workers personal protective equipment.

The employer also has been cited with four serious health violations and a proposed $18,500 penalty. These citations address the company's alleged failure to provide proper respiratory protection and engineering controls for workers exposed to dust containing silica; failure to ensure workers used proper hearing protection; and a lack of proper labeling on hazardous material storage containers.

"It is the responsibility of employers to ensure workers are provided proper protective equipment and to ensure all safety and health regulations are being adhered to, especially at dangerous workplaces like a foundry," said OSHA Area Director Jule Hovi in Toledo, Ohio. "Those who ignore these safety and health regulations are inviting tragedy into the lives of their workers."

Elyria Foundry Co. LLC has been inspected by OSHA 10 times since 1984 and previously has been issued 21 serious violations. The company employs approximately 285 workers at its foundry in Elyria and more than 350 employees companywide.

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 report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.

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 assure 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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