Region 6 News Release: 13-1753-DAL
Aug. 27, 2013
Contact: Diana Petterson Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: petterson.diana@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites ProBuild Co. LLC in Buda, Texas, for
exposing workers to various safety and health hazards

AUSTIN, Texas – ProBuild Co. LLC in Buda, Texas, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 17 safety and health violations, including combustible dust hazards. Proposed penalties total $54,000. OSHA began investigating the materials manufacturing facility on Cement Plant Road in March.

Sixteen serious violations were cited, including failing to provide dust collection systems for combustible dust accumulated from saw use; provide and inspect portable fire extinguishers; provide handrails on staircases; and properly store gas containers to minimize physical damage, tampering by unauthorized people and exposure to rising temperatures. Other serious violations cited include failing to guard machinery properly; keep hand and portable power tools or equipment in safe operating condition; and develop and implement a monitoring program for workers exposed to noise levels in excess of the allowable eight-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels. A number of electrical hazards were cited, including failing to close unused openings in electrical boxes, cabinets or fittings; protect cables from accidental damage due to, for example, sharp corners, doorways, or other pinch points; and ensure the safe condition of 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.

One other-than-serious record keeping violation was cited for failing to properly complete OSHA 300 logs and 301 incident reports of injury and illnesses and provide them to OSHA in a timely manner. 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.

"Employers must ensure their workplaces are evaluated for hazards and take corrective action to prevent injuries and illnesses," said Casey Perkins, OSHA's area director in Austin. "Obvious electrical equipment and combustible dust violations at this location need to be corrected immediately."

Combustible dust explosion may exist in a variety of industries, including food, grain, plastics, wood or paper. Information about combustible dust is available at http://www.osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html.

ProBuild, headquartered in Denver, employs about 10,000 workers nationwide and about 120 at the Buda work site. The company has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Austin or contest the citations and penalties 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 Austin Area Office at 512-374-0271.

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.