Company fined over respiratory and hearing protection....

Many workplace environments in our industry require respiratory protection. There are many types of respiratory protecting depending on the process and hazard exposure. The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog has a recent story where a government safety organization fined an aluminium foundry for respiratory and hearing violations.

Because this company will have the opportunity to contest this fine, the APSB has left out the company name.

An aluminium foundry has been cited during the month of September 2014 for two willful and two repeat violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. An early spring 2014 follow-up inspection found the foundry failed to maintain requirements of OSHA's respiratory protection and hearing conservation standards. The foundry, which specializes in aluminum sand casting, was previously cited for these violations in December 2012. OSHA has proposed additional penalties of over $37,000 Euros.

"OSHA's follow-up found that the foundry initially fixed hazards cited in the first inspection, but lapsed into unsafe practices. The foundry did not maintain the important standards that protect the long-term hearing and respiratory health of employees," said the OSHA's area local director. "Employers, who are cited for repeat violations, demonstrate a lack of commitment to employee safety and health."

OSHA found that the aluminium failed to provide medical evaluations and annual fit testing for employees using respirators. The company failed to obtain yearly audiograms for employees exposed to noise at or above the eight-hour time-weighted average and did not post a safety instruction sign to warn employees that combustible aluminum dust should not be allowed to accumulate in the grinding room.

OSHA issues repeat violations if an employer was previously cited for the same or a similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

The aluminium foundry 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.

“When selecting respirators, employers must consider the chemical and physical properties of the contaminant, as well as the toxicity and concentration of the hazardous material and the amount of oxygen present. Other selection factors are nature and extent of the hazard, work rate, area to be covered, mobility, work requirements and conditions, as well as the limitations and characteristics of the available respirators.” This was taken from OSHA. For our readers in the United States please note the use of the word “must”.  One of the definitions of the word must is something that should not be overlooked or missed. Ignorance in understanding any governmental safety regulations will fall upon deaf ears during an inspection process.

There are many avenues around the globe that an aluminium company can turn to for assistance. From national trade associations, fellow aluminium companies, and last but not least the internet. Two associations in our industry have done a great job in hosting safety conferences. Next month the Aluminum Association will be hosting a safety conference in Nashville, Tennessee in the United States. Information about the Cast House Safety Workshop can be found here. Whereas in Europe the European Aluminium Association will hold their safety conference next summer. The APSB will post information about the EAA’s event as soon as it is formalized.

The Occupational Safety Health Administration has a useful document regarding respiratory protection shown below. It can be downloaded here.

In addition the University of San Diego in the United States has a useful presentation regarding respiratory fit testing that can be viewed here.

The Occupational Safety Health Administration has a useful document regarding hearing protection shown below. Which can be downloaded here.

This post can be used as a learning tool for every plant who has workers who wear respirator protection and hearing protection while performing a job function. Please review violations that the aluminium foundry was cited for and compare how your facility would stand against an inspection on those items.

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