Region 6 News Release: 13-2443-DAL
Jan. 6, 2014
Contact: Diana Petterson Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: petterson.diana@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

Bedding manufacturer in Corsicana, Texas, cited by US Labor Department
for exposing workers to safety hazards
Sonic Component Systems fined $40,810 and cited for nine repeat and serious violations

FORT WORTH, Texas – Sonic Component Systems LLC has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for nine total violations as part of the agency's National Emphasis Program on Amputations. The citations from the June 2013 inspection include three repeat and six serious safety violations at the company's Corsicana facility and carry proposed penalties totaling $40,810.

The three repeat violations, with $26,180 in penalties, include failing to provide required guarding on machines, sprockets, and chains and ensure that strain relief was provided on all electrical cords. 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. The company was cited for similar violations in February 2013.

The six serious violations, with a penalty of $14,630, include failing to: ensure that exit doors were kept from obstruction, provide exit signs, ensure that floor surfaces were kept dry to prevent slips and falls, and provide proper 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.

"Sonic Component Systems failed to abate previous electrical and machine guarding violations and by continuing to do so, exposed workers to possible amputation hazards. Such disregard for worker safety will not be tolerated," said Jack Rector, OSHA's area director in Fort Worth. "It is the employer's responsibility to find and fix hazards while providing a safe and healthy workplace."

Sonic Component Systems builds mattress frames and coils for bedding, and employs about 51 workers. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety & 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 Fort Worth office at 817-581-7303.

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 292-693-7828 or TTY 292-693-7755.