A Wisconsin Rapids company faces a total of $95,480 in fines after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited it for two safety and four health violations at its carbon steel foundry. Among OSHA’s allegations is that Northern Steel Castings, Inc. overexposed workers to crystalline silica, a known respiratory hazard.
OSHA initiated an inspection of the foundry after receiving a complaint alleging overexposure to crystalline silica, a basic component of soil, sand, granite and other minerals. The inspection confirmed that workers were overexposed to crystalline silica, and one willful safety violation was cited.
“Exposing workers to a known hazardous substance, such as crystalline silica, beyond OSHA’s permissible exposure limit, is unacceptable,” Kim Stille, OSHA’s area director in Madison, said in a press release. “Employers have a responsibility to monitor workers’ exposure to known hazards in their industries, and to ensure that work environments are healthful and safe.”
According to OSHA, when workers chip, cut, drill, or grind objects that contain silica, small particles can be created that are respirable. Breathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, an incurable condition that reduces the ability of lungs to take in oxygen.
Northern Steel Castings also was cited for two repeat health violations for allowing workers to be overexposed to iron oxide and copper fumes, and for exposing employees to fire hazards when welding inside plywood booths.
A willful violation, OSHA said, is one committed with intentional, knowing, or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirement, or indifference to employee safety and health. A repeat violation exists when an employer already has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule, or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. Northern Steel Castings was cited for these violations in 2006.
Prior to the latest inspection, Northern Steel Castings had been inspected by OSHA 24 times, and was cited for overexposure to silica six other times.
In addition, OSHA cited three serious health violations for the following:
• Failing to keep eating surfaces free from contamination by hexavalent chromium
• Failing to provide ventilation when welding; and
•Failing to provide adequate emergency exits.
OSHA considers a serious violation to have occurred when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard that the employer knew or should have known about.
Northern Steel Castings 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.
