Region 8 News Release: 11-1138-DEN (11-174)
Aug. 15, 2011
Contact: Mike Shimizu
Phone: 206-553-7620
Email: shimizu.michael@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites contractor at Hill Air Force Base
in Utah for exposing workers to hazardous air contaminants

DENVER – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited contractor Affordable Engineering Services LLC at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, for 12 serious safety and health violations related to exposing workers to hazardous contaminants. Proposed penalties total $51,850.

OSHA began its planned safety and health inspections at the base in January under its Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program, which is designed to focus on federal work sites experiencing a high number of work-related injuries and illnesses. Affordable Engineering Services provides aircraft maintenance for the U.S. Air Force.

The serious violations include exposing workers to air contaminants including hexavalent chromium, cadmium and methylene chloride; lack of engineering controls for air contaminants; lack of engineering controls for noise exposures; inadequate medical surveillance for employees exposed to hexavalent chromium and cadmium; lack of appropriate change rooms; failure to train workers on hazardous chemicals; and improper training for respiratory protection. 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.

"This contractor's workers are exposed to excessive levels of hexavalent chromium, cadmium and methylene chloride, and providing necessary controls is critical in preventing diseases like lung cancer," said Herb Gibson, director of OSHA's Denver Area Office. "These violations could have been avoided if the employer had followed OSHA's expanded health standards for chromium and cadmium."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's Denver 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 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.