ACTON, MA - Mass-Granite, a granite countertop manufacturer in Acton, MA, faces $87,000 in OSHA fines for exposing employees to safety hazards, including some for which it was fined previously but didn't correct, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted a follow up inspection of the granite countertop manufacturer to verify the correction of hazards identified during an inspection last year. OSHA says it cited the company for six violations in September 2014 and levied $8,500 in fines. Mass-Granite Inc. did not submit proof that the hazardous conditions had been corrected, so OSHA returned.
The follow up inspection identified several uncorrected hazards, including lack of a hearing protection program for employees exposed to high noise levels; lack of a chemical hazard communication program; and no markings on a forklift boom.
“Mass-Granite Inc. has repeatedly failed to provide a safe working environment for its employees," said Anthony Covello, OSHA’s area director for Middlesex and Essex counties. "These new and recurring hazards expose Mass-Granite Inc. employees to potential hearing loss, crushing injuries, hazardous chemicals, eye, hand and face injuries, falls, fire, electric shock, lacerations, or amputation. The company continues to put workers at risk of being unable to exit the workplace swiftly in the event of an emergency.”
The follow up inspection found three hazards similar to those cited in 2014, and identified some new hazards: unsafe storage of large granite pieces; lack of eye, hand and head protection; not inspecting fire extinguishers; unsafe forklift operation; a saw blade not guarded against contact; several electrical hazards; a missing stair railing; inadequately labeled containers of hazardous chemicals; a locked exit door; and flammable material stored in an exit route.
OSHA issued 29 citations: four failure to abate notices, three repeated violations and 22 serious and other than serious violations, with a proposed penalty of $87,200
Mass-Granite Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
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