ODESSA, Texas — A recent inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that workers at WNCO Valve International Inc. in Odessa faced dangers, such as struck-by flying objects, electrical shock and unguarded machinery, which could have caused death or serious injuries, including concussions, burns or amputations.

MILWAUKEE — A 39-year-old worker and father of three was crushed to death on May 22, 2014, while repairing a bin at the Ready Mix Batch Plant owned by Nuvo Construction Co. in Milwaukee. The following day, an employee for a different company, Sonag Ready Mix LLC, completed repairs to a bin sensor at the Ready Mix Batch Plant while exposed to the same hazard.

DEEPWATER, N.J. — Hazardous chemicals known to cause severe burns, respiratory and reproductive health issues leaked out of a tanker truck in May 2014, which exposed workers at E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Chamber Works in Deepwater, to health risks. A complaint filed with the U.S.

OMAHA, Neb. — Four employees of Affordable Exteriors Inc. were routinely exposed to dangerous fall hazards while completing a residential roofing job for homebuilder Hildy Homes in Elkhorn. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Affordable Exteriors for two willful violations, carrying proposed penalties of $140,000, for failure to provide required fall protection and fall protection training. The Omaha-based company has a lengthy history of violating OSHA standards.

TYLER, Texas — Berry Marble and Granite exposed workers to crushing hazards associated with handling granite, marble and stone at its Tyler, Texas, facility, a follow-up inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has found. OSHA issued 14 citations, including two for willfully violating safety standards and two for repeated violations, with a proposed fine of $156,310.

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas — Workers are continually exposed to amputation hazards at Steel Fabrication Services Inc. in Farmers Branch, according to an inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The company has been cited for 15 violations after it failed to correct hazardous conditions previously cited that could cause serious injury or death. OSHA began its follow-up inspection in May 2014 and has proposed $135,880 in civil penalties.

SCRANTON, Pa. — In the past few years, Olympia Chimney Supply Inc. employees have suffered crushed fingers, amputation of multiple fingertips and entire fingers, but serious safety violations persist at the Scranton-based company. A June 2014 inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found Olympia workers again exposed to a number of serious machine hazards.

ANDOVER, Mass. — Employees at the Central Transport LLC freight shipping terminal in Billerica were exposed to electrocution, falls, crushing and other injuries due to their employer's knowing and repeated disregard for basic worker safeguards, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has found. The company faces $330,800 in fines for these hazards.

SHELBY, Neb. — A Latino worker was fatally injured after being struck-by a front-end loader hauling hay at Double Dutch Dairy in Shelby on June 17, 2014. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the company for four serious safety violations after an inspection found that the driver's view was obstructed.

ROCK SPRING, Ga. — Nissin Brake Georgia Inc. was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 11 safety and health violations following a June 2014 inspection at the manufacturer's Rock Spring facility. The inspection was initiated as part of the agency's Regional Emphasis Program for Safety Hazards in the Auto Parts Industry. Proposed penalties total $53,000.

HARTFORD, Conn. — What began as a fire in a titanium dust collection system at a precision machining shop in Vernon resulted in the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's identifying and citing 20 safety and health violations at Soldream Inc. Proposed fines total $59,290.

MOBILE, Ala. — Austal USA LLC was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 12 safety and health violations that involved fall and other hazards following a May 2014 complaint regarding the Mobile shipbuilder's facility. Proposed penalties total $41,500.

NORFOLK, Va. — While welding the frame of a U.S. Navy vessel, a shipyard worker was just 1 foot away from three open manholes that exposed the employee to potential falls of up to 30 feet. These, and other alleged safety and health hazards, were cited against Colonna's Shipyard Inc., a ship repair facility in Norfolk, following a May 2014 inspection conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

BROOKLYN, Miss. — Dollar General Corp. was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for four repeat safety violations following an August 2014 inspection at a retail store located on Highway 49 in Brooklyn. OSHA initiated the inspection in response to a complaint. Proposed penalties total $51,700.

HARTWELL, Ga. — Tenneco Automotive Operating Co. Inc., doing business as Tenneco, was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 27 safety and health violations following a May 2014 inspection at the Hartwell plant. Elite Logistic Service Inc., a staffing agency that provided temporary employees to Tenneco at the Hartwell plant, was also cited for one serious safety violation. OSHA initiated the inspection after receiving a complaint alleging improper material handling and machine guarding hazards.

PATERSON, N.J. — After entering a die cutting machine to do maintenance, a worker employed for 26 years at Accurate Box Co. Inc. in Paterson was crushed when the die cutter was activated by another employee unaware that the victim was inside. A subsequent investigation into the incident, which caused severe internal injuries to the worker, was initiated in May 2014 by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

WASHINGTON – As the holiday season approaches, the U.S.

WAXAHACHIE, Texas — Southern Grouts and Mortars Inc. has been cited for eight safety and health violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration after a May 2014 follow-up inspection found repeat violations at its Waxahachie facility. Proposed penalties total $58,520.

CANTON, Ohio — Employees at all three of TimkenSteel Corp.'s Canton plants were found by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to be exposed to amputation and fall hazards. OSHA issued 12 serious safety violations, which carry proposed penalties of $77,000. The inspections were initiated following employee complaints alleging unsafe working conditions.

OMAHA, Neb. — To educate employers and workers about highly hazardous chemicals, including formaldehyde and methylene chloride, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is launching a local emphasis program in Nebraska. The program will include programmed health inspections at funeral homes, chemical and product manufacturing plants, printing facilities and outpatient care centers.