Hydrogen Sulfite now there is a chemical that I have never heard anything about. Yet a worker was fatally exposed to this chemical at a local factory last December.

Just today OSHA officially cited this company for safety violations. A total of $74,000 in penalties is the fine for these violations brought out as a result of investigations into safety at this company.

The problem I see here, whether the company ends up having to pay this fine or not, a worker is still dead as a result of an accident which could have been prevented with proper equipment and training.

As per the OSHA web site “The agency is proposing a repeat violation with a $12,500 penalty after it found the process vessels not properly labeled. The company has been cited for a similar violation following a 2007 inspection at its sister plant”.

The company is also being cited for 13 serious violations with proposed penalties of $61,500. Serious violations include failure to install hydrogen sulfite monitors and a lack of training for employees who handle hazardous chemicals which were related to the fatality. Additionally, deficiencies were found with regard to respiratory protection, confined space and lockout / tagout programs. A serious citation is issued 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.

It seems to me that after numerous violations in the past that at some point the company would learn from past experience and get their act together. It is horrible that someone has to die before companies are able to see past an initial cost of equipment and training and try to keep their employees safe.

The question in my mind is at what point do we put a stop to a runaway company that is oblivious to the laws of the land and put some of their management/owners in jail for manslaughter.

I know that there are times when employees simply refuse to take safety precautions and there is little that management can do about those abuses. However when a company continues to clearly disobey the law and expose there employees to hazards that are known to cause death and serious injury something must be done.

As OSHA states on their website “OSHA’s mission is to assure the safety and health of America’s working men and women by preventing injuries, illnesses and fatalities. OSHA operates a vigorous enforcement program, conducting almost 39,000 inspections and finding nearly 88,000 violations of its standards and regulations in fiscal year 2008.”

My response to this is GO OSHA. Do what is necessary to protect workers from lousy employers who could care less for their employees safety.

Just my opinion, but I am allowed that now aren’t I?