The third OSHA visit was anything but a charm forDrive Power, Inc.of Newnam, GA. After being cited for health and safety violations during two previous visits, the company has earned proposed penalties totaling $79,350 as a result of its most recent inspection, in September of 2010.

"Although OSHA staff pointed out deficiencies during previous inspections and management agreed to correct them, the company failed to follow through on its responsibilities," said Andre Richards, director of OSHA's Atlanta-West Area Office.

The multiple health and safety violations issued against Drive Power include a safety-related failure-to-abate notice with a $36,000 penalty for failing to correct hazards associated with compressed air used for cleaning parts. Another failure-to-abate notice is for the company's failure to require that employees use protective gloves when handling chemicals. The penalty for that infraction is $20,250. A failure-to-abate notice is issued, and additional fines proposed, when an employer fails to correct previously cited hazards.

"Although OSHA staff pointed out deficiencies during previous inspections and management agreed to correct them, the company failed to follow through on its responsibilities," said Andre Richards, director of the agency’s Atlanta-West Area Office.

OSHA has issued one repeat citation with a $15,000 penalty and two serious citations with a $6,000 penalty for safety violations. The citations allege hazards associated with lockout/tagout procedures and electrical deficiencies, and that the company failed to certify powered industrial truck operators.

The agency also issued the company two repeat and one other-than-serious citations with $2,100 in penalties for alleged health violations. Citations were issued for failing to implement a written respirator protection program, conduct hazardous communications training and certify that a personnel protective equipment hazard assessment was conducted.

OSHA originally inspected Power Drive in February, then did follow-up inspections in July and September.