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Y! MyWebO.S. Kelly Co. cited by OSHA for repeat violations
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Springfield, Ohio — The O.S. Kelly Co. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for what the organization stated are "alleged serious, repeat and failure-to-abate violations of Federal workplace safety standards."
Proposed fines for the violations total $114,600.
According to an OSHA statement issued Tues., July 29, a 2005 investigation at O.S. Kelly found employee over-exposure to crystalline silica along with other health and safety violations.
The company, which produces and refurbishes piano plates at 318 E. North St., agreed in Jan. 2007 to bring exposure levels of crystalline silica down to permissible levels, but has not done so, according to OSHA Spokesperson Brad Mitchell.
Crystalline silica is a by-product of O.S. Kelly's manufacturing process and is a known respiratory threat, much like asbestos, he added.
In this most recent follow-up inspection, OSHA has proposed three fines dealing with separate violations.
One fine of $5,400 is suggested for three serious violations addressing "hazards associated with confined space entry and personal protective equipment," according to the official statement.
Another proposed fine for $19,200 is for three repeat violations with "respirator fit testing and employee over-exposure to crystalline silica during cut-off operations," the statement said.
The final citation issued, carrying a proposed fine of $90,000, is for one failure-to-abate violation addressing what the agency specified as "employee overexposure to crystalline silica during the grinding of piano plates."
The citations were issued this week and must be responded to in 15 business days, which will be approximately Aug. 18, depending on the actual delivery date, Mitchell said.
The company can accept OSHA's citations, contest them and request a hearing or meet with agency officials to discuss possible solutions, the agency spokesperson added.
According to OSHA's records, O.S. Kelly has been inspected 22 times since 1973 resulting in numerous "serious and repeat citations" being issued.
O.S. Kelly officials could not be reached for comment as the local facility is on a pre-planned summer shut-down until Aug. 11.
Over-exposure to crystalline silica can cause silicosis, which can be debilitating and even fatal, Mitchell said. "The respiratory disease is non-reversible, but is 100 percent preventable," he added.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.
