Weapons manufacturer fined $197K for endangering workers

Employer name: Maverick Arms Inc.

Location: Eagle Pass, Texas

Date citations issued: Sept. 30, 2015

Investigation findings: Maverick Arms Inc. was cited for one willful and 23 serious violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration following a planned inspection under the Regional Emphasis Program for Fabricated Metal Products. The willful violation was for failing to implement controls to reduce excessive noise levels. The serious violations include electrical, general industry falls and amputation hazards, along with failing to provide medical evaluations for respirator users, or to control and protect against lead exposure.

Proposed penalties: $197,000

View citations at:

• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/MAVERICKARMSINC_1052525.pdf
• http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/MAVERICKARMSINC_1052850.pdf

Quote: "Exposure to lead and high noise levels can cause long-term or permanent health damage," said Alejandro Porter, OSHA's area director in San Antonio. "Maverick Arms has a responsibility to protect its workers by identifying and eliminating these hazards."

Information: Maverick Arms has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in San Antonio, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report amputations, eye loss, 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 San Antonio office at 210-472-5040. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.