OSHA reached a $299,000 settlement agreement with a Pennsylvania manufacturer that was cited for 17 violations found during an inspection in 2022, ranging from chemical hazards to failure to certify forklift operators.
Along with the fine, Regal Industrial Corp. must use enhanced abatement measures under the settlement agreement.
These enhanced abatement measures include:
- establishing a safety and health management program with clear safety and health goals
- consulting with workers in developing, updating, implementing and evaluating the program, and
- identifying, assessing and documenting workplace hazards.
Regal must also:
- establish a plan to make identified hazards a priority to control
- provide education and training to workers in a language they can understand, and
- conduct a periodic review to determine if the program is working as designed and is making progress toward its goals.
OSHA inspection found 4 willful, 11 serious violations
OSHA’s inspection was conducted following a complaint regarding the company’s Millville, New Jersey facility.
Inspectors found four willful, 11 serious and two other-than serious violations for failing to:
- train employees on respirator use and provide medical evaluations to determine if they were capable of using respirators
- develop a written hazard communication program
- maintain safety data sheets onsite and train workers on chemical hazards
- provide fall protection and machine guarding
- train and certify forklift operators
- ensure safe use of electricity in areas where flammable paints were sprayed
- keep emergency exits unobstructed
- establish and follow a routine schedule for floor cleaning and removal of combustible residue, and
- ensure proper guarding of abrasive wheels on portable grinders.