OSHA cites SaeHaeSung for 20 safety violations
Published 8:40 pm Monday, January 5, 2015
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Saehaesung Alabama Inc., which has operations in Andalusia and Lafayette, for 20 safety violations in June and July of 2014. Proposed penalties total $102,000.
An OSHA press release made available to the media on Monday said inspectors found the violations as part of the agency’s Regional Emphasis Program for Safety Hazards in the Auto Parts Industry.
OSHA issued three repeat citations. The Andalusia plant was cited for failure to develop specific procedures to protect workers from moving machine parts during service or maintenance work. The Andalusia and LaFayette facilities also were cited for exposing workers to amputation hazards by failing to provide required guards on welding machines. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
Three serious citations were issued to each facility for storage of material on steel racks with damaged support columns and no floor anchor, which exposed employees to struck-by hazards. The LaFayette plant also received a citation for exposing workers to electric shock hazards by not protecting them from damaged wiring while operating a press welding machine. OSHA issued four other citations for a damaged electrical cord, breaker panel and emergency stop switch, and for failure to train employees working with chemical hazards.
Serious violations occur when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
In 2010 and 2011, OSHA conducted inspections at the Andalusia plant and issued citations for machine guarding, industrial trucks and failure to protect employees from moving machine parts during service or maintenance work.
Headquartered in Daegu, Korea, Saehaesung Alabama manufactures automotive chassis and body parts for Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. The Andalusia and LaFayette facilities employ 365 workers.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The citations were issued Dec. 22.
To view the current citations, visit click here.