.png)
The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued federal fines to a Connecticut auto body shop for safety violations, according to the Hartford Courant. OSHA officials inspected the Hoffman Auto Body Shop facility in East Hartford and cited some of the same citations they cited at the same facility in 2011.
Repeat violations include improper storage of flammable materials and “limited access to extinguish potential fires, presented fire and shock hazards and impeded cleaning around booths, which allows potentially combustible materials to accumulate.” Additional violations included failure to properly label hazardous materials, and the proposed fines total $54,300.
“The bulk of these fines stem from recurring hazards identified during this latest inspection,” said OSHA’s Warren Simpson. “Workers at the facility remained exposed to potential hazards. This employer needs to take effective action to correct these safety issues and prevent their recurrence.”
It is deeply disturbing to see an employer repeat such serious safety violations. OSHA takes fire and hazardous chemical violations seriously. If Hoffman Auto Body Shop does not immediately correct these issues, it may find itself in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
If you are exposed to serious risk or injury or illness at work, you can report the conduct to OSHA and your employer cannot retaliate against you in any fashion. Please contact our firm for a free consultation if you need assistance in filing for workers comp.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus workers comp attorneys