Region 5 News Release: 12-1664-CHI
Aug. 27, 2012
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Precision Steel Services
with 11 safety violations at Toledo, Ohio, facility
Proposed fines exceed $66,000

TOLEDO, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Toledo-based Precision Steel Services Inc. with 11 safety violations, including a repeat violation for failing to remove from service a forklift that was in need of repair. Proposed penalties total $66,330.

"OSHA takes all safety and health violations very seriously," said Kimberly Nelson, OSHA's area director in Toledo. "However, repeat violations, in particular, indicate a lack of commitment to these issues, and OSHA will hold employers responsible to ensure that workers are protected from preventable hazards."

A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. Similar violations were cited in 2009 at the same facility.

Nine serious violations also have been cited. These include failing to protect workers from falls on elevated workspaces, provide lockout/tagout procedures, properly inspect forklifts, ensure forklift brakes were set when parked, provide electrical safe work training and utilize electrical personal protective equipment. 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.

An other-than-serious violation has been cited for failing to mark lockout/tagout devices with an employee identifier. An other-than-serious violation has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

Precision Steel Services Inc., a steel processor, has had five previous OSHA inspections, three of which have occurred since 2009 and resulted in citations for seven serious violations involving personal protective equipment, forklifts, mechanical equipment in disrepair and a lack of guarding on portable power tools. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its most recent 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 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.