Region 3 News Release: 14-561-PHI (osha 14-023)
April 21, 2014
Contact: Leni Fortson Joanna Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5102 215-861-5101
Email: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

OSHA follow-up inspection finds 14 violations at previously cited Universal
Concrete Products Corp. in Pottstown, Pa.
Concrete manufacturer facing $58,753 in proposed penalties

POTTSTOWN, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Universal Concrete Products Corp. again after a follow-up inspection that began in December 2013 at the company's Pottstown plant. The manufacturer of precast concrete faces $58,753 in proposed penalties for 14 health and safety workplace violations, including 10 repeat violations and four serious citations.

"Universal Concrete continues to jeopardize the safety and health of its workers by failing to correct dangerous conditions," said Jean Kulp, OSHA's area director in Allentown. "OSHA's safety and health standards exist to prevent injuries and fatalities. It is the employer's responsibility to protect its workers by following these standards."

OSHA's Allentown Area Office conducted the previous inspection in August 2012 in response to a complaint and issued 17 serious and two other-than-serious violations. Fines totaled $61,286. An informal settlement agreement was reached on August 2012.

The new repeat violations include failure to provide workers with required safety and health training on respirator use; the safe use of powered industrial trucks; hazardous workplace chemicals and means of prevention; and the safe procedures to follow to prevent accidental machine startup when servicing a machine. In addition, the company was cited for exposing workers to electrical hazards and failing to conduct required safety inspections on mobile cranes.

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.

The company also was cited for four serious violations. A serious violation is one in which there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Universal Concrete has 15 working days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Allentown, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call the Allentown Area Office at 267- 429-7542 or OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers.

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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