Loading prices...

Register/Sign in
ScrapMonster
Sell Your Junk CarGet an instant quote for your car on ScrapMonster.com
Waste & Recycling October 05, 2016 10:30:22 AM

OSHA fines Georgia recycling company for repeated violations

Paul Ploumis
ScrapMonster Author
The first serious violation states that employees in the laboratory of Plant 2 were exposed to a struck-by hazard from a compressed nitrogen cylinder that was not secured to prevent it from falling or rolling.

OSHA fines Georgia recycling company for repeated violations

ATLANTA (Scrap Monster): The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed fines amounting to $317,814 to Dalton, Georgia-based Columbia Recycling Corp for repeated on-site violations at its 2410, S. Dixie Hwy facility. The citations include five repeated, three serious and one other-than-series safety and health violations. The company has fifteen business days from the receipt, to comply, request a conference with OSHA authorities or contest the findings before Commission.

The first serious violation states that employees in the laboratory of Plant 2 were exposed to a struck-by hazard from a compressed nitrogen cylinder that was not secured to prevent it from falling or rolling. The loose cylinder was placed between the laboratory doorway and two secured nitrogen gas cylinders which did not provide adequate protection or stability for the compressed gas cylinder.

The second serious citation notes that the employer failed to ensure that employees operating forklifts at the facility were competent enough to operate the powered industrial trucks. The third serious violation states that sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained. The Injection Molding Machine at the site was found blocking the electrical disconnect, exposing employees to fire hazards.

The five repeat violations issued to the recycler indicate that the company has continued to ignore the safety standards recommended by the agency, noted Christi Griffin, OSHA’s director of the Atlanta-West Office.

The employer failed to administer a hearing conservation program for employees exposed to noise above the permitted limits during extrusion activities. On different sampling period on April 19, 2016, the employees working in the vicinity of Line 1 were found exposed to continuous noise. Also, employees working in the vicinity of Line 2 were also found exposed to continuous high noise levels. In Plant 2, the employer failed to ensure that the data plate of forklift equipment was legible for employees, thereby exposing employees to crush-by hazards.

In addition, the company failed to provide adequate protection to an above ground liquefied petroleum gas storage tank located on the east side of Building 2 from possible physical damage from motor vehicles. The employer did not maintain specific procedures for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines to control hazardous energy. The inspection spotted an employee installing a roller chain on the pulley of forklift equipment when he was exposed to an amputation hazard to his right hand index and middle finger. Also, the storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas fuel was not in accordance with NFPA regulations.

The other-than-serious violation states that the employer failed to report within 24 hours, the in-patient hospitalization of an employee who suffered work-related amputation. The incident that occurred on April 13th, 2016 was reported only on April 26th.

Meantime, spokesperson for Columbia Recycling Corp refused to comment on the violations.

×

Quick Search

Advanced Search