WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The U.S. Dept of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Williamsport Steel Container Co. Inc. of Williamsport, Pa., for alleged safety and health violations and proposed $43,000 in penalties.
The company has 38 employees and manufactures steel drums used for storing flammable, combustible and corrosive liquids or hazardous waste.
OSHA began its investigation on March 6 as a follow-up to a previous inspection. The company was issued three repeat violations for machine guarding hazards and improper storage of flammable and combustible liquids, with a fine of $28,000; and three violations for machine guarding, emergency egress and electrical hazards, with a $15,000 fine.
“Left uncorrected, these conditions will expose employees to numerous hazards including electrocution, amputations, burns and exposure to hazardous substances, among a variety of other injuries and illnesses,” said Andrew Hedesh, OSHA’s area director in Wilkes-Barre. “It is imperative for this employer to correct these violations before a tragedy occurs.”
The company has 15 working days to appeal before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.