WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) – Nearly $57,000 in fines has been announced by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration against Waupaca Foundry Inc. for safety violations.
Two serious and two repeat safety violations has been issued by OSHA against the company.
According to the agency’s investigation, the company overexposed its employees to noise, silica dust and carbon monoxide. If breathed, silica dust and carbon monoxide can lead to a variety of health problems, according to OSHA. In addition, OSHA says Waupaca Foundry failed to implement a formaldehyde training program and engineering and administrative controls to reduce exposure to hazards.
“Waupaca’s willingness to continually allow occupational noise that exceeds safety standards puts its workers at risk of permanent hearing loss and undermines their quality of life,” Robert Bonack, OSHA’s area director in Appleton, said in a news release. “Our inspectors also found workers exposed to unsafe levels of carbon monoxide and silica dust, a known respiratory hazard that can cause cancer and other health complications. Like all employers, Waupaca Foundry is responsible for implementing health and safety programs to protect its employees from exposure to these and other hazards.”
In response, Waupaca Foundry issued the following statement:
“Waupaca Foundry will meet with regional Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) representatives in an informal hearing on Aug. 19 to discuss alleged safety violations.
The safety of our employees is our number one business priority. Waupaca Foundry has invested millions of dollars to continuously improve our workplace. Investments in air quality, engineering controls, and state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment have been made to keep our employees safe.
Waupaca Foundry employees are protected with personal protective equipment (PPE) including hearing protection, air-supplied and cooled hoods, protective footwear, safety glasses, hardhats and flame-resistant clothing; which is supplied by Waupaca Foundry.
Results of the informational hearing will be provide to our employees pending the Aug. 19 meeting.”
Waupaca Foundry has roughly 4,000 employees at nine locations in five states and makes iron castings.
