Region 8 News Release: 11-1018-DEN
July 11, 2011
Contact: Rich Kulczewski
Phone: 303-844-1302
Email: Kulczewski.Richard@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Delta Oilfield Tank Co.
Safety and health procedures found lacking at Fort Morgan fabrication facility

DENVER – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Delta Oilfield Tank Co. LLC at Fort Morgan with 13 serious and two repeat violations for safety and health hazards following an inspection at the company's oil field products manufacturing facility. Proposed penalties total $52,760.

The serious violations involve exposing employees to hazards associated with improper confined space entry procedures; lack of appropriate eye protection; not training workers on hazardous chemicals; improper use of lifting equipment; lack of proper training for fork truck use; failure to conduct regular inspections of overhead cranes; using an improper fall protection system; and failure to label electrical circuit panels. 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.

The repeat violations relate to not providing an appropriate respiratory protection program for spray painters. 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.

"Finding and fixing basic safety and health hazards in a manufacturing facility is critical to preventing injuries," said Herb Gibson, OSHA's area director in Denver. "Many of these violations could have been corrected if the employer had implemented an effective safety and health management system, which helps identify hazards in the workplace and reduce the likelihood of harm to employees."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Denver Area Office; telephone 303-844-5285. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (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 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, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.