July 18, 2006 -- According to Reliable Plant magazine, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Radial International Corp. for alleged safety and health violations. The citations could result in fines totaling $136,000.
Radio Casting Corp., the operating subsidiary of Radial, is a brass foundry and aluminum diecasting operation in Kearny, NJ. The magazine reports OSHA's December 2005 investigation came in response to a referral by the Kearny Fire Department concerning open burning at the facility.
Phil Peist, area director of OSHA's Parsippany, NJ, office, said the citations cover three types of alleged violations – "willful," "serious," and "other than serious." The three willful violations concern failing to provide unobstructed access to exits, failure to provide an effective hearing-conservation program, and failure to ensure that employees are properly protected when working with molten metal. These violations would amount to penalties of $90,000.
Radio Casting was hit with 25 serious violations, including open burning of debris within a production area, failing to have safe clearance in the route for molten-metal transport, failing to provide easily accessible exit routes, failing to guard machinery properly, and failing to protect employees properly from lead exposure. These violations would face penalties of $45,000.
Three other-than-serious citations were issued for Radio Casting's failure to provide employees with important safety and health information, and for failing to maintain proper records. The fines for these violations would total $1,000.
"These violations have the potential of leading to serious harm to the workers at Radio Casting Corp.," Peist was quoted. "The company must take whatever steps necessary to eliminate these hazards immediately to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for their employees."
Radio Casting was given 15 working days to contest the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.