A metal fabricating shop in Illinois failed to properly ground electrical equipment, among other safety violations. Lyon LLC has been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 15 serious safety and health violations.
Responding to a complaint of unsafe working conditions, inspectors observed improperly grounded electrical equipment and employees over-exposed to noise and dust hazards while manually powder coating metal products in two of the company’s paint booths. OSHA’s Sept. 24, 2015, exposure readings indicated that at least two workers were exposed to dust and particles at more than six times the permissible exposure limit.
OSHA also found the company failed to:
- Administer an effective hearing conservation program
- Use gauges or alarms to monitor air velocity in the paint booth
- Operate exhaust fans in paint booths to reduce hazards
- Install automatic sprinklers or other extinguishing equipment for fire safety
- Provide personal protective equipment
- Train workers in the use of respirators and properly maintain the respirators
- Clean dust and paint residue in a manner to prevent further exposure
- Illuminate exit signs
OSHA is proposing $76,000 in penalties.
