Pallet Manufacturer Faces Penalty of $188,000 After Follow-Up Inspection Showed Continued Dust Hazard
MAY 2019
This recent case underscores the importance of responding to deficiencies identified in health and safety inspections. U.S. OSHA has again cited Avid Pallet Services LLC after a follow-up inspection found employees continued to be exposed to wood dust. The Wisconsin company now faces penalties of $188,302 for repeated, serious, and other-than-serious violations.
Inspectors say the company failed to implement sufficient engineering controls to limit dust exposure, as well as train employees on the health hazards of wood dust. The company had been cited for the same hazards in 2016. Additional citations were issued after the follow-up inspection for failing to evaluate respiratory hazards, medically evaluate and fit test employees using respirators, inform employees of their right to see exposure records, and use adequate machine guarding on band saws.
“Employers are legally required to ensure that exposures to dust are properly evaluated and managed to protect employees from potential health hazards,” said an OSHA spokesperson.
The company had 15 business days from receipt of the 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.