The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a Georgia wood-treating company and its maintenance firm for exposing workers to high levels of arsenic, actions that could result in as much as $180,000 in fines.
OSHA opened an investigation after the Georgia Poison Center found workers at the site had arsenic, an ingredient in some wood preservatives, at levels up to 20 times above the allowable exposure limit.
“Both of these companies have an obligation to protect their employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals,” OSHA Area Director Joshua Turner said in a statement. “Sadly, neither met those obligations and needlessly exposed workers to potentially life-changing dangers.”
Arch Wood Protection Inc., in Conley, was cited for:
- Allowing hazardous dust to accumulate on desks, food packaging, lockers, refrigerators, and the insides of respirators.
- Not requiring workers to wear respirators in some areas and not requiring them to remove facial hair to ensure a proper seal with respirators.
- Not requiring contractors to change clothing and decontaminate at the end of shifts.
- Allowing material to block emergency eyewash and shower stations.
- Not providing adequate eye protection.
OSHA has proposed penalties of $124,780 for Arch. Mullins Mechanical & Welding, the maintenance contractor, was cited for four violations for failing to make sure employees followed decontamination procedures. Penalty: $53,574.
The companies have 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before an independent review commission.
Topics Workers' Compensation Georgia
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