OSHA follow-up inspection finds Ohio sign manufacturer continues to expose workers to respiratory, chemical hazards

LIMA, Ohio – For the third time in 10 years, federal safety and health inspectors found employees at a Lima custom sign manufacturing company exposed to respiratory, chemical and paint hazards.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Sign Source USA Inc. for seven repeated  and two serious health violations on June 14, 2016, after the agency’s December 2015 follow-up inspection. Proposed penalties total $46,970. The agency cited the company for similar violations at the Lima facility in both 2006 and 2012.

“A company repeatedly cited for the same hazard isn’t taking the safety and health of its employees seriously,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA’s area director in Toledo. “Sign Source USA needs to make permanent improvements to its health programs to protect workers from known hazards in their facility.”

OSHA found:

• Rags contaminated with flammable liquids were not removed from work areas daily.
• Violations of respiratory protection hazards including failing to provide medical evaluations, fit-testing and training to employees in respiratory use.
• Workers were not trained about certain hazardous chemicals in use in the facility.
• Containers of flammable paint thinner were not labeled.

View citations here.

Sign Source USA 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 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 Toledo office at 419-259-7542.

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.