Region 4 News Release: 11-426-ATL (143)
April 6, 2011
Contact: Michael D'Aquino Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078
E-mail: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov wald.michael@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites steel building manufacturer in Georgia
with 21 safety and health violations, proposes more than $85,000 in penalties

EASTANOLLEE, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued Trachte Southeast LLC 21 safety and health citations for a variety of violations at its Eastanollee facility. Proposed penalties total $85,140.

The company was issued seven serious safety citations with $36,630 in proposed penalties for violations including exposing workers to fire, explosion and electrical hazards. In the plant there were blocked emergency exits, and improperly secured compressed cylinders vulnerable to being knocked over. Production machines lacked protections that would prevent employees from being pulled into equipment and suffering pinching and possible amputation.

Trachte also received 10 serious health citations with $45,540 in proposed penalties. Some of the violations include failing to conduct noise monitoring evaluations, not implementing a hearing testing program, exposing employees to chemical hazards, failing to minimize the amount of flammable liquids kept in the vicinity of spraying operations, storing oxygen adjacent to acetylene cylinders and propane, not maintaining a material data sheet on chemicals being used at the facility and not maintaining an effective respiratory protection program. 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.

One other-than-serious health violation with a proposed penalty of $2,970 was cited for not having the ranking company official certify the OSHA 300 log in which work-related injuries and illnesses are recorded. Three other-than-serious safety violations with no monetary penalties were cited for failing to have fire extinguishers readily accessible, failing to ensure electrical equipment was used properly and missing ground pins on electrical cords. 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.

"This broad range of violations leaves workers vulnerable and could result in serious injuries or worse," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. "It is the employer's responsibility to ensure workers' safety and health by correcting deficiencies."

Trachte Southeast is a division of Oregon, Wis.-based Trachte Inc., which manufactures prefabricated and pre-assembled steel buildings. 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. The site was inspected by OSHA's Atlanta-East office, 2183 Northlake Parkway, Building 7, Suite 110, Tucker, GA 30084; telephone 770-493-6644. 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.

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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.