Region 5 News Release: 10-1493-CHI
Nov. 16, 2010
Contact: Rhonda Burke Scott Allen
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-6976
E-mail: burke.rhonda@dol.gov allen.scott@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA fines Precision Production Inc. more than
$149,000 for lack of hazardous energy procedures, not training workers

CLEVELAND – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Precision Production Inc., a manufacturer of fabricated components in Cleveland, with 15 alleged safety violations. The company faces penalties totaling $149,250.

"Failing to implement procedures to prevent injury from unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment is a leading cause of workplace injury," said OSHA Area Director Rob Medlock in Cleveland. "By not having safety procedures in place, employers such as Precision Production are knowingly putting their workers at risk. OSHA is committed to seeing that workers are provided with a safe and healthy workplace."

As a result of a May inspection by OSHA, the company was issued four willful citations with proposed fines of $140,000 for failing to establish lockout/tagout procedures of energy sources, train workers on recognizing hazardous energy sources and control methods, and require workers to lock out machinery when performing maintenance and have machine guards in place. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or plain indifference to employee safety and health.

Precision Production Inc. also received 10 serious citations with proposed penalties of $9,250. Alleged violations include failing to develop training programs for working with hazardous chemicals, develop and implement a workplace hazard assessment, train workers in the use and wear of personal protective equipment and conduct required crane inspections. A serious citation is issued 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 received one other-than-serious violation for failing to maintain an OSH 300 log of all recordable occupational injuries. 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.

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. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Cleveland Area Office at 216-615-4266. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA'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 assure 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 releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.