August 3, 2016
OSHA finds Moore Chrome Products Company, an Ohio metal coating plant, continues to expose workers to risk of injuries, illnesses from acid, chemical, machine hazards
Moore Chrome Products nets 10 violations, faces $115K in proposed fines
SYLVANIA, Ohio - Splashing acid and other serious hazards are putting employees at a Sylvania metal coating company in danger of serious and debilitating injuries because their employer is failing again to provide appropriate protective clothing and other safety equipment, federal safety and health inspectors have found.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found similar hazards at Moore Chrome Products Company in 2012. On July 29, OSHA issued one willful, five repeated and four serious violations to the company, which does business as Moore Metal Finishing. Inspectors found the violations during a follow-up inspection in February 2016. Moore Chrome faces $115,500 in proposed fines.
Inspectors noted that workers dipping and coating metal parts in acid-plating tanks lacked proper clothing and protection for their eyes and faces. They also found Moore Chrome failed to protect employees from respiratory hazards, and did not meet required safety standards for the chemicals in use. The company also allowed machines to operate without adequate safety guards.
"Moore Chrome Products continues to maintain an environment where employees are exposed to serious chemical and machinery hazards," said Kim Nelson, area director of OSHA's Toledo office. "The company needs to re-evaluate its safety and health programs to ensure workers are provided with the equipment and the training they need to prevent injury and illness on the job."
OSHA's inspection found the employer failed to:
- Require workers to wear personal protective equipment, including arm, body, eye and face protection.
- Provide medical surveillance to employees exposed to hazardous chemicals.
- Follow respiratory protection standards, such as providing fit-testing and medical evaluations for employees.
- Label acid tanks with identifiable information about the chemicals in use.
- Provide accessible emergency eyewash and shower stations.
- Install adequate machine safety guards.
- Train workers on safe electrical work practices.
- Periodically inspect lifting devices used to lift parts into acid baths.
View the current safety and health citations.
Moore Chrome Products Company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal 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 Toledo Area Office at (419)-259-7542.
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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