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Cramer Inc. Cited for Alleged Safety, Health Violations

April 27, 2001

Cramer Inc., Kansas City, Kan., was cited by OSHA for alleged safety and\r\nhealth violations and proposed a penalty of $118,500.

EHS Today Staff

Cramer Inc., Kansas City, Kan., was cited by OSHA for alleged safety and health violations and proposed a penalty of $118,500.

The company manufacturers stuffed, upholstered office chairs and step ladders.

OSHA initiated comprehensive safety and health inspections at the facility in October 2000, according to OSHA regional administrator Charles Adkins, CIH.

Citations were issued for 40 alleged serious violations and two other-than-serious alleged violations under the safety inspection.

The health inspection resulted in 17 alleged serious violations and seven other-than-serious alleged violations.

Alleged serious hazards identified in the safety inspection included such issues as failure to keep the workplace clean, orderly and in good repair; failure to maintain means of egress free of obstructions; failure to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste; failure to protect workers close to the welding area from ultra-violet radiation rays; and inadequate controls of potentially hazardous energy.

The other-than-serious alleged violations under this inspection related to an incomplete fire prevention plan and failure to mark weight load limits in conspicuous locations.

Under the health inspection, the alleged serious violations involved such issues as inappropriately disposed of and stored combustible waste material; a malfunctioning airflow gauge within the paint spray booth; workers consuming food and beverage in areas with toxic materials present; failure to provide facilities for quick flushing of eyes; failure to conduct initial monitoring for asbestos exposure; and failure to provide effective chemical information and training to employees.

The other-than-serious alleged hazards found in the health inspection included improperly stored spray finishing clothing; unsanitary cleaning practices in employee lunchroom; employees improperly donning respirators; and employees exposed to raw sewage.

The firm has 15 working days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to either comply with them or request them.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.