Battery manufacturer Electrochem Inc. is facing nearly $59,000 in fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for multiple workplace hazards at its Canton, Mass., plant.
The company was cited for 27 alleged serious violations of safety and health standards following an OSHA inspection in late April, after a battery explosion burned an employee.
The inspection resulted in proposed penalties of $58,950 being issued to Electrochem for alleged serious violations of safety and health standards. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
Many of the citations involve safety management of highly hazardous chemicals.
The company was also charged with failing to develop written operating procedures and failing to properly train employees involved in manufacturing. Several citations concern deficiencies in the company's emergency response program and in the personal protective equipment supplied to employees, such as respirators.
Electrochem has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.