OSHA cited Altec Industries Inc., Plains, Pa., for safety and health violations, proposing a total of $286,500 in penalties.
Altec, a manufacturer of electrically-tested truck systems and aerial lift devices, employs 240 workers at its plant.
OSHA initiated an inspection on March 8, in response to a formal complaint alleging that a previously-cited hazard had not been corrected, and that contractors were not using required lockout procedures within the facility.
According to Andrew Hedesh, OSHA area director in Wilkes-Barre, the company was issued two failure-to-abate violations, with a proposed penalty of $240,000; two repeat violations with a proposed penalty of $25,000; and two serious violations, with a proposed penalty of $3,500.
The failure-to-abate and repeat violations were issued because the company failed to protect employees exposed to high voltages, including:
- failure to provide personal protective equipment, such as rubber gloves and mats;
- failure to require safety-related work practices; and
- failure to provide proper training.
"By not providing workers exposed to high voltages with the proper protections, Altec continues to support an unsafe working environment," said Hedesh. "These hazardous conditions must be eliminated immediately to prevent a potential accident."
by Virginia Sutcliffe