The company, says OSHA, has consistently failed to correct grave and potentially disastrous workplace hazards, including the lack of basic worker protections such as personal protective equipment, machine guarding, fire prevention measures, safety training, fall protection, and lockout/tagout procedures.

The fines, which total $418,200, and citations follow an inspection initiated in April, following receipt of a complaint. The inspection led to 33 alleged violations, including 18 willful violations. They ranged from electrical hazards and smoking permitted within 20 feet of a spray-painting operation to a lack of eye and foot protection and improper use or lack of the use of respirators.

OSHA has cited the company numerous times since 1995 and Midwest has failed to correct identified hazards in spite of offers of free assistance through OSHA's consultation services, the agency says. The company manufactures metal storage rack systems.