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.