Nissin Brake Georgia Inc. cited for serious safety violations

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.

"Nissin Brake Georgia has failed in its responsibility to protect employees from workplace hazards associated with unguarded equipment, electrical hazards and training workers on safety practices," said Christi Griffin, director of OSHA's Atlanta-West Area Office.

Nine serious violations, with penalties of $53,000, were cited for allowing employees to adjust and bypass safety guards when entering a machine for servicing or maintenance and failure to protect workers from dangerous equipment that required machine guards. OSHA also cited the company for lack of safe-practices training associated with electrical shock and arc flash hazards and failure to provide personal protective equipment to employees who worked with electrical equipment. 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.

Two other violations were cited for using electrical equipment workspace for storage and not training designated emergency response personnel.

Nissin Brake Georgia supplies brake systems for automotive and nonautomotive applications, primarily for Honda and Harley-Davidson, and was established in 2000 to expand the company's manufacturing base and support network for customers. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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 Atlanta-West Area Office at 678-903-7301.

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.