Florida company fined $81,000 for 27 OSHA violations, including amputation hazards
A Pompano Beach company that makes impact window and doors has been cited for 27 OSHA violations that will cost the company $81,344, according to the federal agency.
But, on the upside for Assura Windows and Doors, abatement actions and settlements chopped off half the proposed penalty of $162,688.
The citations, which came from inspections Oct. 24, Oct. 30 and Nov. 7 at Assura’s Powerline Road facility, are the company’s only violations in the last 10 years. Their diversity matched their volume, as detailed in the Citation and Notification of Penalty.
“OSHA cited the company for a lack of machine guarding, failing to develop and implement a hazardous energy control program, improperly storing and handling flammable materials, and electric shock hazards,” the Department of Labor said. “Other violations include failing to provide an effective hearing conservation program and adequate personal protective equipment, not anchoring machinery, and exposing employees to slip and trip hazards.”
Assura didn’t give proper eye protection for people who wore prescription glasses, but worked around “flying particles and chemical hazards” while putting together windows. It didn’t give proper protection for welders’ arms, and at least one welding area didn’t have a fire extinguisher in the immediate area.
Start pedals on mechanical power presses lacked guards to prevent accidentally starting the machine. Some punch presses and saws lacked proper guards or had a guard with an opening that was too large, the type of violations that can cost people digits or hands.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you can suffer hearing damage after two hours exposed to 80 to 85 decibels, the levels of gas-powered lawnmowers and leaf blowers. Assura employees dealt with levels from 87 to 91.3 decibels.
