Region 4 News Release: 12-273-ATL (071)
Feb. 28, 2012
Contact: Michael D'Aquino Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078
Email: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov wald.michael@dol.gov

Florida aluminum fabricator cited by US Labor Department's OSHA for
combustible dust and other hazards; proposed penalties total nearly $140,000

EUSTIS, Fla. – Fritz Aluminum Services Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration with 37 violations for exposing workers to a variety of safety and health hazards, including combustible dust accumulations, at the company's Eustis facility. OSHA opened an inspection in September after receiving a complaint. Proposed penalties total $139,800.

Three willful violations involve failing to provide workers with an abrasive blasting suit or apron during sandblasting operations, replace missing and clogged filters in the powder coating booth, and implement a housekeeping program and provide proper ventilation to keep combustible dust accumulations at a minimal level. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

Twenty-eight serious violations involve failing to ensure workers were wearing eye and face protection when exposed to chemicals and using compressed air for cleaning; develop a written respiratory protection program for employees required to wear respirators; provide medical evaluations to determine the ability of employees to wear respirators; install a carbon monoxide alarm; train workers on the hazards associated with silica dust, powder coating dust and acids; develop a hazard communication program; provide sprinklers or fire protection in the powder coating booth area; and protect workers from amputation hazards by guarding machines. Fritz Aluminum also has been cited for the above-ground exposure of PVC piping used to transport compressed air at 130 pounds per square inch and for allowing combustible dust to accumulate on electrical equipment. 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.

Six other-than-serious violations include failing to maintain sanitary conditions in the powder booth, welding area and break room bathrooms; have forklift operators complete a refresher training course in the last three years; certify the training of forklift drivers; remove defective or unsafe powered industrial trucks from service; appropriately store oxygen and acetylene compressed gas cylinders; and properly label circuit breaker panels. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

"The level of disregard for workers' safety demonstrated by this employer is irresponsible. Although the employer knows the fire and explosion hazards associated with the accumulation of combustible dust, a choice was made to do nothing about it," said Les Grove, OSHA's area director in Tampa. "It should not take a fire or explosion to implement necessary safety measures to protect employees."

Due to the repeat violations and the nature of the hazards, OSHA has placed Fritz Aluminum Services in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law. The program focuses on recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat or failure-to-abate violations. For more information on the program, visit http://s.dol.gov/J3.

The citations can be viewed at
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/FritzAluminumServicesInc_315977348_0227_12.pdf*
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/FritzAluminumServicesInc_316028570_0227_12.pdf*.

Fritz Aluminum Services, which fabricates aluminum fencing and other miscellaneous equipment, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director 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 Tampa Area Office at 813-626-1177.

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, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

* Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.