Ohio Printer Allegedly Lacked Adequate HazCom Training, OSHA Proposes $91,800 Fine
Globus Printing & Packaging Co. Inc. has been cited by OSHA for 24 alleged safety and health violations, carrying proposed penalties of $91,800. OSHA initiated an inspection of the Minster, Ohio-based manufacturing plant in August 2013 after receiving a complaint.
“Workers were exposed daily to many dangerous hazards at the Globus Printing & Packaging Co.,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA's area director in Toledo. “The company lacks adequate employee training on those hazards.”
OSHA has revised its Hazard Communication (HazCom) standard to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). OSHA estimated that over 5 million workplaces employing approximately 43 million workers in the United States are affected by the revised standard. The deadline for covered employers to train workers on the GHS formatting passed on Dec. 1, 2013.
OSHA considers a violation serious if death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists. The agency cited Globus Printing for 13 alleged, serious safety violations such as:
- Failing to provide electrical personal protective equipment for employees doing electrical work.
- Failing to remove damaged forklifts from service.
- Failing to maintain exit lighting and an employee alarm system.
The company also was cited for six alleged, serious health violations, including:
- Failing to maintain an environment free of combustible dust.
- Not ensuring employees used eye and face protection.
- Failing to conduct and certify a personal protective equipment assessment.
- Lack of an eyewash station in the battery servicing area.
- Failing to ground drums when dispensing flammable liquids.
- Lack of training in hazard communication and safe chemical handling.
Additionally, the company was cited for five alleged, other-than-serious violations for failing to mount and mark portable fire extinguishers; failing to conduct forklift training at least once every three years; improper use of power strips; failure to evaluate workplaces for confined spaces; and failure to inform employees of permit-required confined spaces. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
Globus Printing & Packaging Co. employs 140 workers. The company had 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with Nelson or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
