NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.
OSHA News Release -
Philadelphia
Region
Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
Region 3 News Release: 06-1222-PHI (osha 06-099)
Date: July 18, 2006
Contact: Leni Uddyback-Fortson
Phone: (215) 861-5102
LANSDALE, Pa. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) has cited Crystal Inc.-PMC for alleged safety and health violations, proposing $213,700 in penalties. The Lansdale, Pa., company manufactures specialty chemicals and employs 51 people.
OSHA initiated its investigation in January 2006 in response to an employee complaint. According to Jean Kulp, area director of the OSHA Allentown, Pa., office, the company was cited for seven repeat violations, which carry a penalty of $112,700; 34 serious violations, which carry a penalty of $98,000; and three other-than-serious violations, which carry a penalty of $3,000.
"Crystal Inc.'s refusal to correct previously identified violations jeopardizes its ability to maintain a safe and healthy work environment," says Kulp. "It is imperative that the company abate the hazards to protect workers at the plant."
The repeat violations address hazards associated with the following: poor housekeeping; walking and working surfaces; inadequate fall protection; deficiencies in confined-space procedures; and blocked eyewash stations and electrical deficiencies. The serious violations include hazards associated with the following: combustible organic dust; storage of incompatible chemicals; respiratory protection; powered industrial trucks; hazard communication deficiencies; handling of formaldehyde; lockout/tagout (prevents the inadvertent start-up of machinery); material storage; and welding equipment and live electrical parts. The other-than-serious violations are due to record-keeping deficiencies, overexposure to particulates and various electrical deficiencies.
A repeat violation is one in which the employer has been cited during the past three years for substantially similar violations. A serious violation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious injury could occur from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by the Allentown OSHA office, 850 N. 5th Street, Allentown, Pa., phone (610) 776-0592.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
Date: July 18, 2006
Contact: Leni Uddyback-Fortson
Phone: (215) 861-5102
OSHA Fines Lansdale Company $213,700 for Workplace Hazards
LANSDALE, Pa. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) has cited Crystal Inc.-PMC for alleged safety and health violations, proposing $213,700 in penalties. The Lansdale, Pa., company manufactures specialty chemicals and employs 51 people.
OSHA initiated its investigation in January 2006 in response to an employee complaint. According to Jean Kulp, area director of the OSHA Allentown, Pa., office, the company was cited for seven repeat violations, which carry a penalty of $112,700; 34 serious violations, which carry a penalty of $98,000; and three other-than-serious violations, which carry a penalty of $3,000.
"Crystal Inc.'s refusal to correct previously identified violations jeopardizes its ability to maintain a safe and healthy work environment," says Kulp. "It is imperative that the company abate the hazards to protect workers at the plant."
The repeat violations address hazards associated with the following: poor housekeeping; walking and working surfaces; inadequate fall protection; deficiencies in confined-space procedures; and blocked eyewash stations and electrical deficiencies. The serious violations include hazards associated with the following: combustible organic dust; storage of incompatible chemicals; respiratory protection; powered industrial trucks; hazard communication deficiencies; handling of formaldehyde; lockout/tagout (prevents the inadvertent start-up of machinery); material storage; and welding equipment and live electrical parts. The other-than-serious violations are due to record-keeping deficiencies, overexposure to particulates and various electrical deficiencies.
A repeat violation is one in which the employer has been cited during the past three years for substantially similar violations. A serious violation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious injury could occur from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by the Allentown OSHA office, 850 N. 5th Street, Allentown, Pa., phone (610) 776-0592.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.