It is reported that a Pomfret cable manufacturer faces USD 177,000 in fines for more than two dozen workplace safety violations, including a repeat violation for inadequate machine safeguarding.

As per report, Loos & Co was cited for 29 alleged violations for electrical, chemical, mechanical, fire and exit hazards at its plant.

Mr Paul Mangiafico, OSHA's area director in Hartford, said that "Left uncorrected, they expose employees to the hazards of electrocution, fire, crushing injuries, being caught in moving or unexpectedly energized machinery, hearing loss and being unable to exit the building swiftly in the event of fire or other emergency."

The cited hazards include untrained employees working on live electrical equipment without adequate personal protective equipment; ungrounded lamps and electrical receptacles; damaged and misused electrical equipment and cords; unguarded moving machine parts; un inspected lifting slings; spray painting with flammable paint within 20 feet of spark producing equipment; and exit routes arranged so employees would have to travel toward high hazard areas when exiting the plant in an emergency.

Loos said that the majority of violations were for machines and programs OSHA had inspected just three years ago, which were not found to violate federal standards at the time.

Mr Richard Griswold, the company's president, said that "Over 90% of the infractions identified by OSHA were remedied during the time of their inspection, while the remaining 10% are in the process of being corrected. Despite Loos & Company's willingness to immediately make the changes requested by OSHA, heavy fines were levied. The level of these fines reflects the current OSHA administration's desire to dramatically impact businesses where inspectors have identified violations."

(Sourced from www.courant.com)