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SAFETY / OSHA - 10/1/08

OSHA proposes $137,000 in penalties for violations found at Overhead Doors Corp.'s Athens, Ga., facility

OSHA is proposing $137,000 in penalties for 32 serious safety and health violations uncovered during an inspection of Overhead Doors Corp.'s manufacturing facility in Athens, Ga.

"The large number of violations we found at this one location shows that employee safety and health is not this management's top priority," said Gei-Thae Breezley, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.

OSHA found 25 serious safety violations, resulting in $112,500 in proposed penalties. Safety deficiencies identified include an improper material handling process; failure to ensure proper guards on machines; an inadequate tagout/lockout program to prevent accidental start-ups of machinery; and deficiencies in the company's forklift operations. Employees at the plant were exposed to fire, electrical and tripping hazards.

An inspection of possible occupational health violations revealed seven serious hazards associated with the company's hearing conservation program, storage of flammable materials, personal protective equipment and its hazard communication program. The agency is proposing a total of $24,500 in penalties.

OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to contest them, and the proposed penalties, before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office, 2183 Northlake Parkway, Building 7, Suite 110, Tucker, Ga.; telephone 770-493-6644.

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