The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a battery manufacturer for alleged safety and health violations at their Georgia-based plant.
OSHA issued two failure-to-abate citations to U.S. Battery Manufacturing totaling $33,600. Both citations were related to the company’s failure to control employee’s exposure to lead.
"This employer had ample time to reduce employee exposure to lead, but chose to take no corrective action to protect workers," said Gei-Thae Breezley, OSHA's Atlanta-East area director. "The company also received information about engineering controls and how to petition for a modification of abatement."
The company also received two repeat citations with proposed penalties totaling $12,600. The citations included failing to implement a respiratory protection program and allowing lead to accumulate in break-room areas.
A serious citation with a proposed penalty of $4,000 was also issued for failing to make medical examinations and consultations available for each employee exposed to lead.
U.S. Battery Manufacturing, a manufacturer of batteries for golf carts and other battery-powered equipment, has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to contest them and the proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.