For the third time in 10 years, OSHA inspectors found employees at a Lima, Ohio custom sign manufacturing company exposed to respiratory, chemical and paint hazards.
OSHA cited Sign Source USA Inc. for seven repeated and two serious health violations on June 14, 2016, after the agency's December 2015 follow-up inspection. Proposed penalties total $46,970. The agency cited the company for similar violations at the Lima facility in both 2006 and 2012.
“A company repeatedly cited for the same hazard isn't taking the safety and health of its employees seriously,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA’s area director in Toledo. “Sign Source USA needs to make permanent improvements to its health programs to protect workers from known hazards in their facility.”
During their investigation, OSHA inspectors allegedly found:
- Rags contaminated with flammable liquids were not removed from work areas daily.
- Violations of respiratory protection hazards including failing to provide medical evaluations, fit-testing and training to employees in respiratory use.
- Workers were not trained about certain hazardous chemicals in use in the facility.
- Containers of flammable paint thinner were not labeled.
Sign Source USA has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s Nelson or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.