OSHA: Ohio gun shop’s lead, respiratory hazards endanger workers

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio – Federal safety and health investigators found that employees of an Ohio gun shop may face life-long health damage because their employer continues to expose them to lead hazards and has failed to establish a respiratory protection program.

On May 24, the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration placed Pro Armament Company LLC in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program after the company failed to correct serious violations identified in a November 2014 inspection. The agency issued two failure to abate and six serious safety and health violations to the company, which faces total proposed penalties of $194,400.

“Failing to correct conditions that cause serious health hazards is unacceptable,” said Howard Eberts, OSHA’s area director in Cleveland. “Eliminating exposure where possible, using engineering controls and personal protective equipment such as respirators and protective clothing, as well as properly cleaning lead dust can limit worker exposure and prevent workers from bringing contamination home to their families, especially young children.”

OSHA’s November 2015 follow-up inspection found that Pro Armament:

• Overexposed workers to lead.
• Did not monitor workers’ exposure to lead.
• Failed to train workers on respiratory and lead hazards.
• Failed to provide protective clothing such as shoe covers.
• Did not provide clean changing rooms or require employees to shower at the end of a work shift to prevent lead contamination.
• Lacked housekeeping procedures to remove lead from surfaces such as cash registers and tables.

View current safety and health citations.

Pro Armament is a gun range and shop that sells firearms and accessories and also provides instructional classes.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal 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 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 Cleveland area office at 216-447-4194.

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.