Miami, Florida, metal recycler exposes workers to electrocution, amputations and lead hazards; nearly $60K in penalties proposed

Employer name: Allied Metals LLC

Inspection site: At the time of the inspection, workers were recycling metal at the company's warehouse located at 2902 NW 32nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33142.

Date inspection initiated: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated the Nov. 21, 2014 inspection as part of the agency's Site Specific Targeting Program.

Inspection findings: OSHA issued the employer 17 serious safety and health citations for exposing workers to hazards such as electrocution, amputation and hazardous materials. Violations include: exposing workers to falling from a loading dock that was missing railings; amputation hazards from cutting machinery that lacked guards; electrocution risks; and failing to provide training to workers exposed to hazardous materials such as lead. Other violations include exposing workers to electric shock from improperly spliced power cords and allowing workers to eat lunch on tables contaminated with lead.

Quote: "Workers at Allied Metals are being exposed to numerous safety hazards because management is not taking its responsibility seriously. Employers are required to remove workplace hazards so that employees can return home safely at the end of their shift," said Condell Eastmond, OSHA's area director in Ft Lauderdale.

Proposed penalties: $57,600

The citations can be viewed at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20151014fs.pdf

Allied Metals LLC 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 Ft Lauderdale Area Office at 954-424-0242.