The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited scrap processing firm CS metals after it was discovered that the company had exposed three employees to hazardous levels of lead, rust, arsenic, copper and fumes while cutting steel. $378,000 in penalties have been proposed for 16 total violations, including five willful, nine serious and two repeated.
The company failed to provide the personnel with protective equipment and also did not monitor the levels of the substances the workers were exposed to. The metal dust can cause serious long-term health problems, including damage to the central nervous system.
Additionally, the company did not require employees to shower after their shifts to prevent the transportation of dangerous particles, and it did not have bins to dispose of lead-contaminated apparel.
What Can I Do If I Suffer Long-Term Effects from a Hazardous Work Environment?
A company has a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees. Workplace exposure to toxic or hazardous chemicals can cause long-term effects that can lead to a reduced quality of life. The workers’ compensation attorneys at Larrimer & Larrimer have a long history of helping injured workers receive compensation from negligent employers. You can check out our Facebook for more information on workers’ compensation.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus Workers’ Comp Attorneys
Source: http://www.recyclingtoday.com/osha-ohio-scrap-torch-cutting-fine.aspx
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