“This employer clearly knew that workers at this facility were exposed to hazardous levels of noise,” said Stephen Boyd, OSHA’s area director in Dallas. “The company ignored its responsibility under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and continued to jeopardize the health and safety of its workers.”
OSHA’s Dallas Area Office began its inspection in January at Krestmark’s Bastille Road facility after receiving a complaint alleging employees were exposed to safety hazards. A willful violation has been issued for the company’s failure to institute an effective hearing conservation program when workers were exposed to noise levels at or above 85 decibels. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.
The company also has been cited with 10 serious violations for failing to protect workers from being struck by flying objects, the unexpected release of energy while servicing and maintaining equipment, exposure to blood and hazardous chemicals and failing to train workers on the safe operation of forklift trucks. A serious violation is one in which there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
Krestmark Industries has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director in Dallas, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
