OSHA Slaps Manufacturer With More Than $250,000 In Fines

Box helps businesses identify OSHA compliance issues in their workplaces, manage their safety programs and become accountable for the results.

Robert Box | Exclusive to Corridor News

A chemical and dye manufacturing and distribution company received proposed penalties of $256,088 by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) for allegedly exposing workers to workplace safety hazards.

First Source Worldwide LLC, a Dalton, Georgia based manufacturer and distributor of chemicals and dyes was cited by OSHA for numerous alleged safety violations, including:

• Failing to repair or replace bent storage rack struts;
• Not requiring/enforcing the use of proper personal protective equipment;
• Shortcomings with Lockout/Tagout requirements;
• Not certifying powered industrial truck (forklift) operators;
• Failing to properly guard machinery and other moving parts; and
• Not mounting some fire extinguishers.

In addition to the Serious violations listed above, the employer was cited for three alleged Willful violations, including:

• Failing to protect workers from falls greater than 4 feet;
• Not protecting workers from falls into dangerous equipment; and
• Allowing workers to enter permit-required confined spaces without having a formal, written program.

FirstSource Worldwide LLC is permitted 15 business days from the receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to pay the penalty and comply with the citation’s directives, schedule an informal conference with OSHA’s Area Director, or contest the findings in front of the independent Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission.

Robert Box is the owner of Safety First Consulting and is a contributor of SM Corridor News. Box helps businesses identify OSHA compliance issues in their workplaces, manage their safety programs and become accountable for the results. In addition to offering custom written safety programs for companies, Safety First Consulting provides required safety training, industrial hygiene sampling, noise sampling and workplace inspections. You can read more from Robert Box under Business.