A US Department of Labor investigation has found that two companies operating at a Conley wood treatment chemical manufacturing facility in Georgia exposed workers to chemical hazards.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opened an inspection at Arch Wood Protection Inc. after screening tests by the Georgia Poison Center found workers employed by the company had elevated levels of arsenic. The agency also opened an inspection with Mullins Mechanical & Welding LLC of Carrollton, the facility’s maintenance contractor.

The agency cited Arch Wood Protection with nine serious violations for:

OSHA has proposed penalties total $124,780 for Arch Wood Protection.

In addition, Mullins Mechanical & Welding received citations for four serious violations for not providing — and making sure employees used — appropriate decontamination procedures and equipment after working in regulated areas. OSHA has proposed $53,574 in penalties.

“Both of these companies have an obligation to protect their employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals,” explained OSHA Area Director Joshua Turner in Atlanta-East. “Sadly, neither met those obligations and needlessly exposed workers to potentially life-changing dangers.”

Since 2014, OSHA and the Georgia Poison Center have collaborated to protect workers. The joint efforts include referrals of workplace incidents involving employee exposures to a chemical agent or substance through inhalation, absorption, skin contact or accidental injection.

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of their 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.

Arch Wood Protection Inc. has contested the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Learn more about controlling exposure to chemical hazards and toxic substances.