Region 5 News Release: 12-190-CHI
Feb. 21, 2012
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Summit Equipment & Supply in
Akron, Ohio, with 24 safety violations, including failing to train workers

AKRON, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Summit Equipment & Supply with 24 safety violations for failing to provide adequate guards on machinery and train workers in proper safety procedures at its Akron facility, among other hazards. OSHA opened the investigation on Aug. 25 after receiving a complaint alleging unsafe working conditions. Proposed fines total $56,400.

"Failing to have proper machine guarding unnecessarily places workers at an increased risk for amputations and other injuries," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Employers are responsible for implementing safety and training programs for their workers. OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job, especially when employers fail to do so."

Twenty-two serious violations involve failing to provide machine guarding on horizontal band saws and vertical belts, remove damaged slings from service, develop and implement a hazard communication program, provide training on the use of fire extinguishers and on chemical hazards in the workplace, maintain material safety data sheets, store liquefied petroleum gas in a safe manner, install electrical equipment according to requirements, enclose switch boxes installed in wet locations, inspect powered industrial trucks daily, remove defective trucks from service and provide training to powered industrial truck operators. 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.

Two other-than-serious violations include failing to develop a written certification of hazard assessment and maintain restrooms in a sanitary condition. 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.

Summit Equipment & Supply, which sells structural steel, tools and machinery, has 15 business days from receipt of its most recent citations and 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 Cleveland Area Office at 216-615-4266.

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.