Alabama metal manufacturer cited by OSHA for exposing workers to amputations, falls and other workplace safety hazards

ONEONTA, Ala. — Diversified Fabricating Inc. was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 23 safety and health violations, including exposure to amputation and fall hazards, following an inspection at the company's facility on Commerce Drive. At the time of the inspection, initiated as part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Amputations, workers were engaged in fabricating steel drums used in the lumber mill industry. Proposed penalties total $73,500.

"This inspection identified numerous safety and health hazards, such as the accumulation of combustible materials throughout the facility, a lack of machine guarding, fall hazards and exposure to iron oxide fumes, all of which put workers at risk of severe injury or death," said Ramona Morris, director of OSHA's Birmingham Area Office. "These hazards should have been identified and corrected prior to any OSHA inspection, affording workers a safe and healthful working environment."

The serious violations include: exposing employees to iron oxide fumes at levels higher than the permissible exposure limit, fire and explosion hazards from accumulated combustible material, and fall hazards from unprotected ladders and platforms. Additionally, the employer was cited for failing to develop procedures to protect workers from moving machine parts during servicing and maintenance; exposing workers to amputation and struck-by hazards by not properly guarding machinery; and allowing fuel and oxygen tanks to be improperly stored, creating an explosion hazard.

Diversified Fabricating manufactures metal parts for the lumber mill industry and employs approximately 29 workers. The manufacturer has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, fatal work injuries in Alabama accounted for 84 of the 4,628 fatal work injuries reported nationally in 2012. Additional details are available at http://www.bls.gov/.

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Birmingham Area Office at 205-731-1534.

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.