A complaint brought OSHA inspectors to a rubber and plastic manufacturing plant in Killbuck, Ohio, where they found that employees were being exposed to nearly four dozen safety and health violations.

The result: Sperry & Rice LLC faces penalties totaling $400,775 for violations ranging from training inadequacies to the lack of PPE.

Among the citations issued to the company:

• failing to provide newly hired employees with information on the use and safe handling of hazardous chemicals
• failing to provide adequate machine guards, personal protective equipment, respiratory protection, and fall protection
• exposing employees to electrical safety, and tripping hazards; and
• failing to train workers on lockout/tagout procedures to prevent machines from unintentionally starting.

“Employees are at increased risk when they are not adequately trained and effective safety and health procedures are not implemented,” said OSHA Columbus Area Office Director Larry Johnson. “Employers are required to train employees on their first day about on-the-job hazards and safe handling procedures, and provide personal protective equipment to keep them safe.”