Texas Manufacturer Faces $64K Fine for Workplace Hazards

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A Belton, Texas-based cabinet manufacturer has been cited by federal regulators for safety violations in the workplace and faces a fine of $64,800.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Carmen Creative Cabinets LLC with 32 serious safety and health violations for exposing workers to a variety of hazards, including combustible dust accumulations and amputations from unguarded saws.

The safety violations include failing to provide a proper conduit for compressed air, train and certify forklift operators, install approved electrical equipment, properly guard saws, provide safety mechanisms for powered nail guns, and ensure clear access to fire extinguishers and electrical breaker boxes.

The health violations include failing to provide adequate housekeeping and exhaust systems for combustible dust accumulations, implement a hazard communication program and training on the use of chemicals, provide personal protective equipment, maintain restroom facilities in a sanitary condition and provide first-aid supplies.

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 hazard of a combustible dust explosion may exist in a variety of industries, including food, grain, plastics, wood or paper. Information about combustible dust can be found on OSHA’s website at http://www.osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html. Information on machine guarding and amputation hazards is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/machineguarding/index.html.

Carmen Creative Cabinets, which employs about 30 workers, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s Austin Area Office, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA