OSHA Fines Auto Parts Maker, Staffing Company $106k

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced Friday that it is proposing $106,020 in penalties against an Auburn, AL automobile parts manufacturer and a staffing company after the agency’s investigation of a manufacturing facility revealed 11 safety violations.

An inspection of Pyongsan America Inc.’s facility in January 2016 found that permanent and temporary employees faced risks of being caught in machinery, hit by objects, or amputation. The company produces heating, ventilation, and air conditioning hoses for Kia, Hyundai, Chrysler and General Motors.

“Pyongsan America continues to put workers, both permanent and temporary, at risk of serious injury or death by exposing them to serious workplace hazards,” Joseph Roesler, OSHA area director in Mobile, AL, said in a statement. “Employers must take responsibility for worker safety every day. They shouldn’t wait until an OSHA inspection or worse, when someone is hurt, to evaluate and correct workplace deficiencies.”

Four repeated citations were issued to Pyongsan for failure to:

Surge Staffing LLC, provider of 50 temporary employees to Pyongsan, was included in the citations, with OSHA identifying two serious violations for failing to train employees and protect them from crushing and amputation hazards.

The agency also cited Pyongsan for two serious violations, including failing to require workers to de-energize equipment when changing out parts on machines and amputation hazards presented by ineffective machine guarding on mechanical power presses. Two “other-than-serious” violations were also issued to the company.

OSHA said it is considering adding Pyongsan America Inc. on its Severe Violators Enforcement Program. The companies have 15 days to comply with the penalties, request a meeting with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, an independent body.

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