2 Texas Businesses Cited for Safety Violations

In separate actions federal workplace regulators have cited two Texas-based companies for employee safety violations.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Congress Materials LLC in Euless, Texas, for one other-than-serious and 12 serious safety and health violations at the company’s work site on Mosier Valley Road in Euless. Proposed penalties total $41,300.

OSHA also recently cited cited Ameri-Tech Industries LLC, doing business as Ameri-Tech Building Systems, for 16 serious safety violations at the company’s manufacturing facility in Troy. Proposed penalties total $52,200.

OSHA inspected Congress Materials’ site in response to a complaint alleging unsafe working conditions at the concrete recycling facility. Inspectors found that employees were exposed to fall hazards, possible inhalation of silica particles while grinding concrete and shocks from poor electrical repairs.

The serious violations involve failing to repair broken railings on walkways to prevent falls, maintain and repair stairways and ladders, provide training on the use of respirators for employees exposed to dust created by concrete grinding, provide potable water, mount fire extinguishers, and properly splice and connect electrical cords.

The other-than-serious violation is for failing to maintain the OSHA 300 log for recordable injuries and illnesses.

Congress Materials employs about 35 workers at its Euless location. It has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s Fort Worth area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Ameri-Tech Building’s Systems plant was inspected after a complaint was received about unsafe working conditions at the facility on Mueller Lane.

The violations found include failing to provide fall protection, such as horizontal lifelines used with full-body harnesses and lanyards; provide machine guarding for table saws as well as anti-kickback features; maintain portable fire extinguishers fully charged and accessible for immediate use; provide illuminated exit signs; require the use of hand protection while working with sheet metal; ensure that power tools and electrical cords were maintained in a safe, working condition; utilize electric equipment is a safe manner; and ensure electrical paths to ground are permanent, continuous and effective.

Center, Texas-based Ameri-Tech specializes in manufacturing portable metal buildings and employs about 200 workers companywide. It has 15 business days to contest the citation.

Source: OSHA

Topics Texas Workers' Compensation