Metal Finishing Plant Cited, Again, For Worker Exposure to Chromium VI

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Occupational Health & Safety

OSHA has cited Pride Plating Inc. with alleged willful, repeat, and serious violations following an inspection at the company's facility in Grove, Okla. The company employs about 90 workers who provide a wide range of metal finish processes. Proposed penalties total $209,000.

Following its investigation that began March 4 at the facility, OSHA's Oklahoma City Area Office issued a willful citation for Pride's failure to perform periodic monitoring after initial monitoring indicated workers were exposed to chromium VI in excess of OSHA's permissible exposure limit. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

A citation for 10 repeat violations was issued for failure to provide safe walking surfaces; provide personal protective equipment for workers exposed to chromium; prevent workers from being overexposed to chromium VI; and properly train workers who have been exposed to chromium, caustics, and corrosives used in the facility. A repeat citation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for a substantially similar condition and the citation has become a final order.

A serious citation noting three violations was issued for failure to provide adequate washing facilities for workers exposed to chromium VI, and failure to prohibit tobacco products in chromium-regulated areas. A serious violation means there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.


Read more: http://ohsonline.com/articles/2009/09/13/metals-plant-cited-for-chromium-vi.aspx

[tomm2thumbs]

1. they should have to house their corporate offices right there on the floor

maybe they'll start thinking about safety then

[Thothmes]

2. Maybe they will just move their operation to China.

[WriteDown]

4. Ding ding ding ding....

we have a winner.

[Scruffy1]

5. Why bother?

I am sure they have saved more than the $209,000.00 by not complying. Having spent three long months in this bastion of willful ignorance I am sure that if OSHA got serious they could close the whole damn state. An occasional fine is nothing compared to the profits that can be made by killing a few workers.
OSHA has had no real teeth since Reagan. They had a water heater explode some years back and kill eleven school children. The morons had modified both the pressure relief valve and the thermostat. Non-union, non-trained people working for low wages.Come to think about it Arizona is just as bad. These right to work for less states take away all the workers protections and the public safety-with predictable results. Until they have criminal sanctions on these bastards the result will be the same. Hell good ole Imhoff will help em out if theys good old boys.

[Pharlo]

8. Metal plating is a service/product.

They could build a facility in China, but the customers they have now would most likely NOT follow for the simple reason it would be cost/time prohibitive. I worked for a metal stamping company that would send out parts to be finished (electroplated, clear and yellow zinc dichromate, paint, etc). Most of our parts required a 24 to 72 hour turn around time. We would stamp the part out, send it out for plating and expect it back for assembly within 24 to 72 hours. If they had needed to be shipped to China, that could not have happened. Their offered product practically prohibits their moving to China. However, that doesn't stop them from lowering their wages in the US to absolute minimum and cutting costs anywhere else they can (safety) in order to quote $ 0.01/eu less than their closest competition.

Trust me, if they could ship it to China, they would. But, they'd lose their customers to competitors who could make the turn around time.

[Confusious]

3. I've said it before and I'll say it agian

Want to stop this? They should be fined all profits from The time they were warned until they time they fixed it.

Never happen again.

But this is the corporate states of America.

[WestSeattle2]

6. One word: PRISON

[Left Coast2020]

7. If memory serves me correctly there was a movie on this topic.

I'm sure the film "Erin Brockovich" is a movie we have all seen based on the real life story of this bold person. PG&E had allowed this Chrommin stuff to poison the water supply of a nearby town. Without the dedication of Ms. Brockovich, no one would have taken action against these corporate bastards who regulally show they don't give a rats ass about regular people. A $300 million lawsuit was not good enough IMO. PG&E should have been put out of business. I cringe everytime I pay these corupt bastards my gas bill.