OSHA: Auto reconditioning company failed to protect workers from toxic compounds, other safety and health hazards at Manheim facility

Employer name: Dent Wizard International Corp.

Inspection site: 1190 Lancaster Road, Manheim, Pennsylvania

Citations issued: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued 31 serious and nine other-than-serious health and safety citations on June 1, 2016.

Inspection findings: OSHA received a complaint alleging hazards in the company’s spray-painting operations, prompting an inspection on Dec. 14, 2015.

The serious violations included:

• Not training employees on chemical hazards.
• Not evaluating the workplace for respiratory hazards, and other respiratory protection deficiencies.
• Storing combustible waste in unsafe containers and not removing them daily.
• Not ensuring that spray painting areas were built with fire resistant materials, sprinklers and dust tight lights, wiring, receptacles and breaker boxes.  
• Permitting workers to use spray products containing toxic compounds with potential to cause asthma-like reactions, and with potential cancer risk to humans.
• Not providing adequate protective equipment and eye-wash stations.

The agency also cited the company for permitting combustible residue accumulations on surfaces; lacking soap, tepid water or hand towels in portable toilets; and not having signs posted to forbid smoking in areas with flammable and combustible products in use.

Quote: “Dent Wizard allowed heat lamps in spray painting booths, which created a serious fire risk and jeopardized worker safety. This and other dangerous safety and health hazards associated with using spray products with toxic compounds highlight the importance of protecting workers through an effective workplace safety and health program,” said Kevin Kilp, OSHA’s area director in Harrisburg. “Dent Wizard should take immediate action to address the cited hazards to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees.”

Proposed penalties: $51,000

Background: Based in Bridgeton, Missouri, Dent Wizard International is the nation’s largest provider of automotive reconditioning services, and employs 1,600 technicians in the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1983, Dent Wizard provides on-site reconditioning services and products to the automotive industry through its relationships with dealerships, auto auctions, body shops, rental companies and insurance companies. Its services include dent repair, bumper repair, wheel repair, windshield chip repair, chip and scratch repair, headlight brightening, and key programming and replacement.

The citations can be viewed at:

• https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/legacy-files/newsroom/newsreleases/DentWizard1112020.pdf
• https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/legacy-files/documents/newsroom/releases/DentWizard1114043.pdf

The employer 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 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 Harrisburg Area Office at 717-782-3902.

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.