This blog presents Metropolitan Engineering Consulting & Forensics (MEC&F) claim management and claim investigation analyses of some of the typical claims we handle
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Alabama aluminum foil manufacturer endangers workers; OSHA cites company for 25 serious safety and health hazards
Feb. 19, 2015
Employer name: Arora Technologies doing business as ATI Foil Inc.
Inspection site: 2615 Memorial Parkway SW, Huntsville, Alabama 35811
Date inspection initiated: OSHA initiated the investigation on Aug. 6, 2014, after receiving a complaint.
Inspection findings:
OSHA issued 25 serious citations to the employer for not providing personal protective equipment to workers exposed to corrosive liquids; not providing emergency showers or eyewash stations near workers handling corrosive liquids; not establishing a hazard communication plan; and not ensuring machinery could not accidentally start up during maintenance and servicing.
The agency cited eight other violations for failing to provide lockers for workers to prevent contamination of their street clothes and for failing to properly clean-up asbestos spillage. 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.
Quote: "Employees at ATI Foil shouldn't have to risk their health or their lives just to earn a day's pay," said Ramona Morris director of OSHA's Birmingham Area Office. "ATI exposed its workers to hazards such as amputations, chemical burns and even blindness. "Employers must ensure a safe and healthful workplace."
Proposed Penalties: $57,600
A copy of the citations is attached.
ATI has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a 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 Birmingham Area Office at 205-731-1534.