The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Heritage Industrial Finishing for 26 safety and health violations. OSHA initiated inspections at the company’s two Akron facilities, which specialize in commercial/industrial and powdered coating applications, after receiving complaints about workplace hazards. Proposed penalties total $88,200.

Eight safety violations at the company’s Englewood Avenue facility include failing to develop and train workers in machine-specific lockout procedures, locking out equipment to control hazardous energy prior to conducting servicing and maintenance, training workers to use portable fire extinguishers, affixing and maintaining labels on equipment controls, and maintaining covers on electrical installations.

Four health violations include allowing combustible residue to accumulate on the sprinklers, floors and walls of the spray booth; failing to require the use of eye protection and to document a personal protective equipment assessment; failing to develop a written respiratory protection program that includes fit testing, annual training and medical evaluation; failing to develop a written hazard communication program; and not training workers on the hazards of chemicals used in the workplace.

OSHA reports thirteen serious health violations at the company’s Kelly Avenue facility. They include failing to provide the proper control devices on the powder coat booth, ensuring that aisles were kept clear of obstructions where powered industrial trucks were used, controlling exposure to noise above the permissible limit, implementing a hearing conservation program, keeping areas clear of combustible powder accumulations, maintaining exposure to total dust below the permissible limit and installing engineering controls to reduce exposures to total dust.

The violations also include electrical hazards such as failing to ensure electrical cords were grounded and to close unused knockouts in breaker boxes. Additionally, one other-than-serious health violation is failing to post OSHA’s noise standard in the workplace.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its most recent citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.