Back in April, OSHA visited a motor vehicle business in Keene, NH, and left them with just under $200,000 in fines. They found a total of 5 violations. Five were “serious”, two were “repeat” and three were “other”.
The first repeat violation was operating an automotive lift with a broken safety latch release cable which was held open via vice grips. Fine totaling just over $60,000. The second repeat violation they found was that “goggles or other suitable eye protection shall be used during gas welding or oxygen cutting operations”. The fine total is just over $85,000.
The first “serious” violation was that all workplace exit routes be free and clear of any obstructions. Fine totaling just under $10,000. The second “serious” violation had to do with employers selecting, supplying and having their employees use their personal protective equipment if there are hazards. Fine totaling just over $12,000. The third “serious” violation was for not providing training for employees. Fine just over $12,000. The fourth “serious” violation came from not having legible labeling on electric circuits to indicate their purpose. Fine just over $7,000. The fifth “serious” violation came from not having ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection from all 125-volt electric outlets installed in bathrooms and on rooftops. Fine just under $10,000.
The three “other” violations included not inspecting fire extinguishers monthly, not installing and using labeled equipment as the label instructs, and not using flexible cords and cables “as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.” Those three violations did not carry a fine.
The NHADA WCT Loss Prevention Team can help you avoid costly OSHA visits such as this. Our Loss Prevention staff provides risk management and safety consultation services to members of the Workers' Compensation Trust at no cost. Current non-members can also request their services for a nominal fee.
Contact the Loss Prevention Team today.
The full article from The Keene Sentinel is available here.