A NY architectural hardware manufacturer may have been hoping that OSHA inspectors would not return for a follow-up visit when they decided to not abate hazards cited at their facility.

S.A. Baxter LLC now faces $117,920 in additional fines, for failing to correct safety conditions found during an initial inspection at the company’s Chester, NY manufacturing facility.

The company was hit with six failure-to-abate notices because the second inspection found that it did not:

• implement a specific respiratory protection program for plant workers at its work site
• provide a medical evaluation to determine worker fitness to wear a respirator
• fit-test respirators before use by a worker
• train workers in fire extinguisher use
• mark an exit door and have an exposed opening in an electrical cabinet.

"Despite having sufficient time to correct all hazards cited during the previous inspection, this employer failed to do so. Moreover, other hazards were allowed to recur, and new hazards were identified," said Kim Castillon, OSHA's area director in Albany. "The sizable fines proposed reflect both the severity of these hazards as well as this employer's failure to take necessary corrective action."

Three repeat citations involve improper storage of respirators, lack of a hazard communication program and no hazard communication training for working with or near hazardous chemicals.

Two serious citations were issued for lack of respirator training and an unlighted exit sign.