May 21, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Glass Fabrication and Distribution
Company for Unguarded Machinery and Other Safety Hazards

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Flat Glass Distributors Inc. for exposing employees to unguarded machinery and electrical hazards at the Jacksonville, Florida, fabrication and distribution facility. The custom glass shaping and cutting distributor faces $121,446 in penalties.

OSHA cited the company for not removing overhead cranes from service when inspections indicated there were safety deficiencies and for failing to establish and implement a written lockout/tagout program for employees performing service or maintenance on machinery. Other violations include unguarded machinery, not evaluating a drain pit to determine if it is a permit-required confined space, and exposing employees to trips, falls and electrical hazards. OSHA conducted the inspection as part of the National Emphasis Program on Amputations.

“Employers are required to assess potential hazards, and make necessary corrections to ensure a safe workplace,” said OSHA Jacksonville Area Office Director Michelle Gonzalez. “The violations identified put workers at risk for serious or fatal injuries.”

OSHA’s Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations provides information to help identify and manage common amputation hazards associated with operating and using stationary equipment. The Control of Hazardous Energy webpage includes resources to help employers meet OSHA’s general requirements for controlling hazardous energy during service or maintenance of machines or equipment.

The company 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.

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 https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

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Media Contacts:

Michael D’Aquino, 678-237-0630, daquino.michael@dol.gov 
Eric R. Lucero, 678-237-0630, lucero.eric.r@dol.gov

Release Number:  20-906-ATL (199)

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The Department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).