VERSAILLES, OH - The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cracked down on Kamps Inc., a manufacturer of wood pallets, issuing $101,000 in fines for alleged noise-related violations.
OSHA said it initiated an inspection on Nov. 4, 2011, under the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program. Kamps was cited for one willful safety violation for a lack of audiometric testing to determine workers' exposure to noise greater than 85 decibels for a time-weighted average of eight hours. In addition, OSHA lodged a serious health violation for failing to provide workers with hearing conservation training and the appropriate hearing protection.
"Kamps is liable for monitoring noise exposure and providing hearing protection," said Bill Wilkerson, OSHA's area director in Cincinnati. "OSHA is committed to protecting workers, especially when employers fail to do so."
OSHA also issued four other serious safety violations against Kamps, including failure to:
* use equipment in a manner consistent with labels;
* provide safety training to maintenance workers performing live electrical work;
* ensure that authorized workers conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures; and
* provide personal protective equipment for employees performing electrical work.
Rich Christianson is Associate Publisher and Editor at Large of Woodworking Network. During his 25+ years covering the wood products industry, Rich has toured hundreds of manufacturing plants throughout North America, Europe and Asia. His reporting has covered everything from the state of the industry and impact of wood imports to technology and environmental issues. In his current capacity he is responsible for editing the daily Woodworking Network Update newsletter and coordinating events including the annual Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo and Canada’s biennial Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo.
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