U.S. Department of Labor Cites Steel Storage Tank Company

LULING, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Alexander Tank Company – a manufacturer of steel storage tanks based in Luling, Texas – for exposing employees to amputation, confined spaces and other safety hazards. The company faces $234,528 in penalties.

 OSHA cited Alexander Tank Company for 10 repeated and 12 serious safety and health violations, including failing to implement lockout/tagout procedures to prevent machines from unintentional startup, provide required machine guarding, and control permit-required confined space hazards while tanks were being welded. OSHA also cited the company for not providing employees with adequate respiratory and hearing protection.

 “Employers must recognize the safety and health risks inherent to their work operations and environment, and take necessary precautions to protect workers who perform those operations,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt.

 OSHA offers compliance assistance resources on permit-required confined space hazards, occupational noise exposure, machine guarding, and control of hazardous energy.

Alexander Tank Company has 15 business days from receipt of the 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. The citations can be viewed here and here.

 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.