Texas Cabinet Company Fined for Safety, Health Violations

Federal regulators recently proposed fines against a Texas-based cabinet manufacturer over safety and health violations.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Zamco Inc., doing business as Concepts in Cabinetry, with 14 safety and health violations — including one repeat — for electrical, respiratory and other hazards at the company’s facility on Lupon Road in St. Hedwig, Texas. Proposed penalties total $45,000.

The serious violations include failing to ensure the safety of electrical wiring in the spray booth area; provide the required machine guarding around equipment such as an automated clamp carrier; implement an effective respiratory protection program; provide lockout/tagout procedures for machines’ energy sources and train workers on the procedures; and ensure that work areas are free from saw dust accumulations, which are combustible.

A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The repeat violation is failing to ensure that the disconnect panel boxes are accessible.

A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. A similar violation was cited in 2010.

The company, which employs about 23 workers, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s San Antonio area director or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA

Topics Texas