Region 6 News Release: OSHA-09-1152-DAL
Friday, Oct. 9, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth Todd
Phone: 972-850-4710

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites Industrial Pipe Fittings in Corsicana, Texas, for alleged safety and health hazards

CORSICANA, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Industrial Pipe Fittings LLC (IPF) for 47 alleged serious and four alleged other-than-serious violations following an inspection at the company's facility in Corsicana. Proposed penalties total $116,500.

OSHA's Fort Worth Area Office began its inspection on April 20 when a worker had his hand crushed in-between a rotating, unguarded drum drive wheel and pipe while performing an overwrapping operation at the drum drive wheel machine station. The serious violations include failing to provide machine guarding on lathes, drum drive wheels and saws; provide fall protective equipment, ensure workers are protected from electrical hazards, provide training for forklift operations and hazard communication. OSHA defines a serious citation as one in which there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

"This company failed to provide a safe and healthful working environment for its workers," said Zachary Barnett, OSHA's area director in Fort Worth. "If OSHA's standards were followed, it is possible this serious injury could have been avoided."

The other-than-serious violations included failing to meet OSHA's respiratory requirements by informing workers of the precautions and use of wearing a respirator and failing to provide a written personal protective equipment hazard assessment. 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.

Houston-based IPF has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's Fort Worth area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions about workplace safety and health may contact Fort Worth's Area Office at 817-428-2470. A toll-free hotline may be used to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to employees; telephone 800-321-6742.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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