Published: August 27, 2008 10:47 pm            

Summa cited for safety, health violations

By Trent Moore

trentm@cullmantimes.com

The Cullman AAR Summa Technology manufacturing plant faces proposed penalties of $138,500, stemming from violations found by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor.

A recent inspection of the location yielded 24 serious safety violations and five health violations.

“OSHA conducted an inspection and found 24 serious safety violations and we are proposing penalties,” U.S. Department of Labor Office of Public Affairs Deputy Regional Director Michael Wald said.

Twenty-four serious safety violations were identified according to a press release, including unsafe storage of reactive chemicals, cryogenic tanks exposed to damage from moving equipment, an improperly equipped paint booth that lacked a fire suppression system and improper storage and handling of flammable liquids.

Violations related to a lack of proper protective equipment, failure to post danger signs in appropriate areas and failing to develop and utilize lockout procedures — which prevent unintended machine startup — were also noted in the press release.

Three serious health violations were also noted in the inspection, specifically hazards related to over-exposure to silica and zinc oxide fumes and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

“This is a company that does contracting for the U.S. military,” Wald said. “We’re concerned about the safety issues and want them to be properly addressed. It’d be a big problem if something went wrong.”

Wald said a major issue that concerned him was the fact the AAR Summa Huntsville location was cited in 2005 for similar issues.

“There were major repeat violations,” Wald said. “The Huntsville plant was cited in 2005 and now we come in here (the Cullman location) and find they have the same problems. ... That means the company isn’t taking it very seriously.”

In a prepared statement, AAR Summa General Manager Mike Quick said the problems cited in the OSHA report have already been rectified.

“OSHA conducted two inspections back in the February/March, 2008 time frame,” he said. “We implemented appropriate corrective action measures within 30 days of the dates of these inspections. We believe that none of the conditions identified during the inspections or in the OSHA news release currently exist or remain outstanding.”

Quick also said he intends to get in touch with OSHA soon to ensure the matter is handled promptly.

“We have requested a conference with OSHA representatives to update them on the resolutions of the identified items, to seek clarification of the proposed penalties as they relate to the corrective measures we implemented, and to assure them of our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our employees,” he said.

AAR Summa has 15 business days to either pay the proposed penalties, or contest the violations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

        

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