Region 4 News Release: 13-545-ATL(70)
April 04, 2013
Contact: Michael D'Aquino Lindsay Williams
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078
Email: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov williams.lindsay.l@dol.gov

Aerospace Defense Coatings of Georgia cited by US Department of Labor's
OSHA for exposing workers to hexavalent chromium

MACON, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Aerospace Defense Coatings of Georgia with one willful and two repeat health violations after a follow-up inspection of the Macon facility found several of the same violations identified in 2010. Proposed penalties total $83,160.

One willful violation, with $61,600 in penalties, involves failing to provide change rooms where workers operate with hexavalent chromium. 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.

Two repeat violations, with $21,560 in proposed penalties, involve exposure to airborne concentrations of hexavalent chromium and allowing workers to consume food where hexavalent chromium was present. 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 facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

"Aerospace Defense Coatings of Georgia was previously cited for the same violations and has failed to take action to protect workers from the hazards associated with hexavalent chromium exposure," said Nadira Janack, assistant area director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. "Management needs to take immediate action to eliminate these hazards from the workplace."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a 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 Atlanta-East office at 770-493-6644.

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 216-893-7828 or TTY 216-893-7755.