Region 6 News Release: 12-2192-DAL
Nov. 8, 2012
Contact: Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4709
Email: rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

Texas cabinet manufacturer cited by US Labor Department's OSHA for
combustible dust, other hazards; proposed penalties total more than $64,000

BELTON, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Carmen Creative Cabinets LLC with 32 serious safety and health violations for exposing workers to a variety of hazards, including combustible dust accumulations and amputations from unguarded saws. OSHA's Austin Area Office initiated an inspection of the company's cabinet manufacturing facility in Belton upon receiving a complaint alleging hazards. Proposed penalties total $64,800.

The safety violations include failing to provide a proper conduit for compressed air, train and certify forklift operators, install approved electrical equipment, properly guard saws, provide safety mechanisms for powered nail guns, and ensure clear access to fire extinguishers and electrical breaker boxes. The health violations include failing to provide adequate housekeeping and exhaust systems for combustible dust accumulations, implement a hazard communication program and training on the use of chemicals, provide personal protective equipment, maintain restroom facilities in a sanitary condition and provide first-aid supplies. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

'By failing to find and fix workplace hazards, this employer is exposing workers to possible injuries or much worse. The lack of machine guarding and the accumulation of combustible dust are obvious hazards that Carmen Creative Cabinets should have addressed,' said Casey Perkins, OSHA's area director in Austin.

The hazard of a combustible dust explosion may exist in a variety of industries, including food, grain, plastics, wood or paper. Information about combustible dust can be found on OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html. Information on machine guarding and amputation hazards is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/machineguarding/index.html.

Carmen Creative Cabinets, which employs about 30 workers, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's Austin Area Office, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Austin office at 512-374-0271.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.