U.S. Department of Labor Cites Central New York Foundry For Exposing Employees to Health and Safety Hazards

SYRACUSE, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Frazer & Jones Company Inc. for 33 workplace health and safety violations at the manufacturer’s Solvay, New York, iron foundry. The company faces $460,316 in penalties.

OSHA inspectors cited the company for multiple hazards, including exposing employees to crystalline silica, iron oxide, combustible dust, falls, struck-by and caught-between hazards, unsafe work floors and walking surfaces, inadequate respiratory protection, deficient safeguards for entering confined spaces, inaccessible and unavailable fire extinguishers, and an impeded exit route. The company also lacked an effective program for removing pests, and did not prevent the build-up of bird feces on equipment.

“These hazards expose workers to injuries and long-term health effects,” said OSHA Syracuse Area Director Jeffrey Prebish. “Employers must recognize the safety and health risks inherent to their work operations and environment, and take necessary precautions to protect employees who perform those operations.”

“Employers are required by law to conduct hazard assessments in their workplaces, and implement measures that protect workers from potential injury or illness,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “The agency has multiple resources available to achieve compliance.”

OSHA provides resources and information available for employees and employers on hazards and safeguards associated with silica,  machine guarding, respiratory protection, confined spaces, falls and emergency exit routes.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the safety and health 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.

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 help 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.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.