Everyday people go to work to make the money needed to pay for the things they need to get by. While some jobs are more dangerous than others, it is likely that few spend much time contemplating matters related to workplace safety. This is probably due at least in part to the existence of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It aims to ensure safe workplaces and reduce work accidents in part through investigations.

Pennsylvania based business, Westinghouse Electric Co. LLC, was recently cited by OSHA for workplace health standards violations at one of its manufacturing facilities. Five of the citations leveled at the facility, that does stainless-steel component manufacturing, come with proposed fines of $27,000. An additional citation considered to be willful comes with a fine of $55,000.

At the crux of the citations is employee exposure to hexavalent chromium which was present in the main fabrication area where welding work was being done. The effects of being exposed to the component vary. If it comes in contact with either eyes or skin, irritation or damage could occur. Inhalation of the substance could also cause the same effect on the lungs, throat or nose. In the worst scenarios, inhaling the substance could result in lung cancer.

Among other things, the five citations for the serious violations include the failure to limit the amount of hexavalent chromium to which the workers were being exposed. Others include completing monitoring to determine the exposure level and failing to adopt methods of cleaning the work area that would reduce exposure.

The willful citation is based on the business' failure to create a specific work area for those working with or who might potentially be exposed to high levels of hexavalent chromium.

Source: OSHA online, "Hexavalent Chromium Hazards Add Up to Pa Firm's $82,000 Fine," March 4, 2012