View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2016/10/14/429380.htm

Louisiana Chemical Manufacturer Fined $92.6K for Serious Safety Violations

Federal safety officials have cited a Louisiana chemical manufacturer for nine serious and two other violations, and issued fines of more than $92,000.

The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Baton Rouge Area Office cited PPG Industries for violations at the company’s Westlake, Louisiana, facility.

OSHA said an employee complaint led to an investigation in which investigators found employees of the global chemical manufacturer exposed to hazards such as corrosive materials and a leaking, 30,000-gallon hot water tank.

OSHA also cited the company for:

• Failing to inspect lock out/tag out procedures.
• Not inspecting safety relief valves.
• Allowing the use of deteriorated stair rails.
• Lacking a hazard assessment for confined space entry.
• The agency also identified two other violations issued for not illuminating exit signs and not having a protective cover on a junction box to prevent electric shock.

Proposed penalties total $92,642.

PPG Industries is a global manufacturer of paint and coating products. Based in Pittsburgh, it has approximately 47,000 employees worldwide of which 18,500 work in North America. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA