Region 5 News Release: 11-1505-CHI
Oct. 31, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4807
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Bosserman Aviation Equipment
in Carey, Ohio, for exposing workers to confined space and other hazards
Proposed fines total nearly $54,000

CAREY, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Bosserman Aviation Equipment Inc. in Carey for 16 safety and health violations, including allowing workers to clean fuel tanks without implementing permit-required confined-space precautions, such as the use of life lines and two-person teams. Proposed fines total $53,900.

Out of 12 serious safety violations, seven were cited for permit-required confined-space hazards. These involve failing to provide an attendant outside of fuel tanks to monitor workers performing cleaning and maintenance inside the tanks; exposing workers to conditions that could cause oxygen deprivation; and failing to provide life lines, train workers in confined space hazards and evaluate procedures annually. The remaining serious safety violations involve failing to provide fall protection for workers on top of fuel tanks, provide machine guarding on the mechanical press brake, provide ventilation for workers conducting welding inside fuel tanks, and protect workers from electrical-shock hazards by properly installing electrical boxes and using electrical boxes that are not damaged. 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.

The company also was cited for one serious and three other-than-serious health violations for failing to provide adequate respiratory protection for workers. 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.

"Employers have a responsibility to ensure workers are trained in the necessary precautions to protect their health and safety while performing assigned tasks," said Kim Nelson, OSHA's area director in Toledo. "OSHA is committed to protecting workers, especially when employers fail to do so."

Bosserman Aviation Equipment manufactures, assembles and repairs airport jet-fuel tanker trucks and pumpers. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its 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 Toledo Area Office at 419-259-7542.

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.