Flammable chemical hazards found at Avon Lake, Ohio, fiberglass manufacturer

AVON LAKE, Ohio — Perry Fiberglass Products Inc. has been cited for four repeat and nine serious safety and health violations after the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration received a complaint alleging unsafe handling of hazardous chemicals at the company's Avon Lake facility. OSHA initiated an inspection Feb. 5, 2014, at the facility, which manufactures fiberglass pipes and tanks. Proposed penalties total $53,130.

"Overexposure to hazardous chemicals can cause serious health effects, and workers deserve to know what hazards they are working with each day," said Kim Nelson, OSHA's area director in Toledo. "It is the employer's job to protect its worker from these hazards. This company's history of OSHA violations shows that they don't take that job seriously. That is unacceptable."

The investigation found repeat violations of OSHA's hazard communication standard, which requires employers to provide an effective training program with understandable information on appropriate handling and safe use of hazardous chemicals. Perry Fiberglass Products failed to label containers to identify and warn of the hazardous chemicals contained inside, use self-closing valves on containers with flammable liquids and ensure a bonding system was used when dispensing flammable chemicals into secondary containers. The company failed to provide and maintain suitable eyewash stations. The company was cited for similar violations in 2010.

OSHA issues repeat violations if an employer previously was cited for the same or a similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

Nine serious citations were issued for violating respiratory protection standards, lack of training on confined space requirements, failure to require eye protection and blocking access to fire extinguishers. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Perry Fiberglass Products has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Toledo, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's Toledo Area Office at 419-259-7542 or the toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742). Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.