HOUSTON – A federal inspection at a Houston metal refinisher uncovered over 40 safety hazards that could lead to severe health issues, including birth defects, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began investigating Outdoor Furniture Refinishing Inc., also known as Allied Powder Coating, in December 2023.
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Inspectors found 39 serious violations and five other violations, including failure to use required safety controls for exposure to dangerous substances like triglycidyl isocyanurate, arsenic, cadmium, beryllium, and lead.
The violations included inadequate protection from inhalation hazards, lack of engineering controls for noise, failure to provide proper respirators, and insufficient measures for handling hazardous substances. Additionally, the company did not maintain electrical equipment properly or establish regulated areas for dangerous chemicals.
The company faces $338,094 in proposed penalties and has 15 business days to comply or contest the findings. The inspection highlights the critical health risks posed by unsafe exposure to toxic chemicals, underscoring the need for stringent workplace safety measures.
“Outdoor Furniture Refinishing Inc. has a legal responsibility to ensure its employees have a safe work environment and must do better at understanding the hazards that exist in the work they do,” explained OSHA Area Director Larissa Ipsen in a press release. “Employers are required to know all dangers present in their workplace and develop procedures, provide safety equipment and train employees to ensure workers are protected from immediate and long-term hazards.”