It is reported that a pipe manufacturing plant in Bessemer has been cited for 27 safety violations by the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA has proposed that the US Pipe and Foundry Co be penalized a total of USD 85,000 for the violations. The company makes iron pipes for water and sewer industries.

Sixteen of the violations were considered serious, meaning that there was a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. Some of the serious violations included a lack of guards on pieces of machinery, damaged steps an uncovered hole in the floor, stairs that were missing a railing and drums of chemicals that were not labelled.

Mr Michael Wald with OSHA Office of Public Affairs said "Furthermore an employee was observed operating a forklift without using a seat belt and forklifts were operated that did not have working flashing lights or alarm signals for backing up."

The 11 non-serious violations totaled penalties of USD 9,000 and included the company failure to record work-related injuries from 2008-2010 a lack of monthly fire extinguisher inspections and a lack of an annual inspection on energy control procedures.

Mr Roberto Sanchez director of OSHA area office in Birmingham said "The safety of this company's employees is compromised due to management's failure to perform maintenance and take common-sense steps to prevent injuries. OSHA will not tolerate this kind of blatant disregard for workers' well-being."

US Pipe and Foundry has 15 business days from today to make changes in the areas that have been cited set up an informal meeting with the OSHA area director or contest the findings.

(Sourced from www.myfoxal.com)