Region 1 News Release: 11-978-BOS/BOS 2011-240
July 5, 2011
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
Email: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Bethel, Conn., machine shop for
repeat and serious hazards, proposes more than $55,000 in fines

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited DCG-PMI, doing business as DCG Precision Manufacturing, for eight repeat and seven serious alleged violations of workplace safety standards. The Bethel machine shop faces a total of $55,440 in proposed fines following an OSHA inspection that began in March.

OSHA found several conditions similar to those cited during a 2006 inspection of the shop. Repeat violations with $32,340 in fines include slipping and tripping hazards from the accumulation of oil and grease on walking and working surfaces around machines; not conducting workplace hazard assessments to determine personal protective equipment needed by employees; failing to evaluate powered industrial truck operators every three years; a lack of chemical hazard information and training; and four instances of incomplete recording of injuries or illnesses. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

"While the employer has promptly addressed these hazards, they should not have existed in the first place, let alone the second," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport. "Once employers identify and eliminate hazardous conditions, they need to take effective steps to prevent them from recurring."

Serious violations with $23,100 in fines include inadequate ventilation for employees performing cleaning operations with alcohol, unsecured gas cylinders, incomplete personal protective equipment training, the lack of an annual or periodic review of hazardous energy control procedures, a defective fork truck, unguarded ends of a buffer and unlabeled chemical containers. 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.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Bridgeport Area Office; telephone 203-579-5581. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

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.

# # #

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