OSHA Cites Baton Rouge Firm for Recordkeeping

Nov. 17, 2006
A Baton Rouge, La., industrial vessel, pipe and steel fabrication company's alleged failure to maintain accurate injury and illness records and to protect employees from occupational hazards has resulted in proposed OSHA penalties totaling $47,600.

AKM LLC, doing business as Volks Constructors, was cited for the alleged violations following an OSHA inspection that began May 10 as part of a national emphasis program aimed at preventing work-related amputations. Volks Constructors employs approximately 350 workers.

"Worker injury and illness records are vital for identifying injury trends," said Greg Honaker, OSHA's area director in Baton Rouge.

OSHA issued 16 serious citations for the following alleged violations:

  • Potential atmospheric hazards in confined spaces;
  • Lack of energy control procedures to protect against electrical and amputation hazards;
  • No eyewash station available while working with corrosives; and
  • No machine guarding to protect against amputation hazards and a lack of guarding for chains, sprockets, belts and pulleys.

The agency issued 17 other-than-serious citations for the following alleged violations:

  • Failing to complete OSHA 301 Logs used for a first report of injury;
  • Failing to record 102 injuries and illness on the OSHA 300 Logs;
  • Company executives certifying OSHA 300 Logs that were neither correct nor complete; and
  • Failing to provide the OSHA 300 and 301 Logs upon request.

Additional alleged violations, according to OSHA, included lack of rating capacity for alloy steel chains/synthetic web slings, restricted work space in front of electrical equipment, use of hazardous chemicals from unmarked containers and lack of material safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 16, 2025
This free guide will define complacency, explain individual and organizational complacency, provide insights into the contributing factors and give a high-level overview of what...
May 22, 2025
Heat stress is a serious challenge that poses immediate and long-term health effects for workers in high-temperature environments. To combat heat stress, it's critical to educate...
May 15, 2025
Foot safety is a serious concern. At your next safety meeting, give your crew eye-opening facts about feet and how proper footwear matters more than they may know. Show your team...
May 15, 2025
If reimbursing employees for safety footwear is how its always been done, maybe its time to learn about the advantages a managed footwear program can offer instead. See a ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!