OSHA Cites Montana Recycler for Safety Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited A&S Metals, headquartered in Castroville, Calif., for 12 alleged safety violations for exposing workers to multiple hazards at its facility in Butte, Mont. OSHA conducted its inspection in July and proposed $59,000 in penalties.

"It is very fortunate that no employee suffered an amputation or other serious injury as a result of the safety violations identified at this facility," says Jeff Funke, director of OSHA's Billings Area Office. "OSHA is addressing machine guarding hazards through a national emphasis program that is focused on preventing amputations and fatalities in selected industries."

According to an OSHA, inspectors found 10 serious violations, several of which involve exposing workers to unguarded equipment such as a drill press, a metal compactor, alligator shears and a vertical portable grinder. The violations include improper housekeeping, overhead crane and rigging hazards, incomplete handrails, the unsecured storage of compressed gas cylinders and electrical issues. Citations for the serious violations carry $58,000 in penalties.

Two “other-than-serious” violations are failing to provide injury and illness logs in a timely manner, which carries a $1,000 penalty, and improperly certifying injury and illness summary forms. An “other-than-serious violation” has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

A&S Metals is a scrap metal recycling, demolition and concrete aggregate crushing contractor with more than 200 employees in Montana and California.