Region 5 News Release: 12-2061-CHI
Oct. 23, 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 finds 14 safety and health violations during
follow-up inspection of Miami Valley Polishing in Piqua, Ohio

PIQUA, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Miami Valley Polishing LLC for 14 – including seven repeat – safety and health violations at the company's Piqua facility. OSHA conducted an inspection in July as a follow-up to a May 2011 inspection that resulted in citations for failing to evaluate workers' exposure to chromium and lock out the energy sources of machinery, among other violations. Proposed fines for the most recent inspection total $57,144.

"Miami Valley Polishing is compromising the health and safety of its workers by allowing previously cited deficiencies to continue without correction," said Bill Wilkerson, OSHA's area director in Cincinnati. "Training employees and evaluating their exposure to hazardous chemicals such as chromium is vital to their long-term safety and health. OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job."

Specifically, the seven repeat violations include failing to administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program for workers whose noise exposure exceeds a time-weighted average of 85 decibels for eight hours; train workers on the hazards of exposure to hazardous chemicals such as chromium; develop a hazard communication program; provide information on the use of respirators; lock out machinery during servicing; guard machines; and use compressed air below 30 pounds per square inch for cleaning. 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 based on the 2011 inspection.

Three serious violations involve failing to establish an audiometric testing program, using a ladder that did not extend more than than 3 feet above the roof line and not providing strain relief for electrical cords. 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.

Four other-than-serious violations involve failing to record injuries and illnesses in the OSHA 300 log for the year 2012, develop and implement an emergency action plan, and mount and maintain portable fire extinguishers. 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.

Miami Valley Polishing employs about 40 workers at its Piqua facility, where stainless steel, aluminum and other metals are polished. 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 Cincinnati Area Office at 513-841-4114.

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.