By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Citation Corp.'s Brewton facility could be facing some stiff penalties from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
According to OSHA officials in Mobile, the manufacturing facility has had $60,000 in penalties proposed against the plant for safety and health violations.
Safety is always a priority at the Brewton Citation facility, local personnel director Barbara Moncrief said Tuesday.
According to the Mobile office, officials say inspectors for OSHA cited Citation for two repeat violations carrying $50,000 in proposed penalties after finding that employees were exposed to excessive levels of silica.
OSHA claims the company failed to conduct annual testing necessary to ensure respirators used by employees were properly fitted. OSHA cited similar violations at the Brewton location in 2006.
OSHA officials also said the local facility was cited for three serious safety violations with proposed penalties of $10,000 for exposing employees to electrical and falling hazards by not maintaining floors in a dry condition.
Unused electrical openings were deemed to be ineffectively closed and electrical cords were not provided with strain relief, the OSHA report said.
Citation Corp. had 15 business days from receipt of the citations to contest them and the proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.