The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Irby Steel for exposing workers to serious safety and health violations at the company's Gulfport steel fabricating plant. The agency is proposing $113,750 in penalties.

OSHA cited the company for 30 serious safety violations, with proposed penalties of $93,800. Citations resulted from safety issues including:

• Failing to have a lockout-tagout program that would render machinery inoperable during maintenance or repair.
• Exposing workers to injuries from defective forklifts, cranes, tools, machinery and electrical equipment.
• Failing to provide safety training for employees.

The company also received nine serious health violations, with proposed penalties of $19,950. Citations resulted from health issues including:

• Using unapproved material as a gas line, which exposed workers to fire and explosion hazards.
• Failing to provide hearing protection and annual testing for employees working in areas where noise was above the permissible levels.
• Failing to label and properly store chemicals.
• Lack of a first-aid program.

Irby Steel, a division of Struthers Industries, Inc., has 15 days to contest the OSHA citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

In fiscal year 2003, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted almost 40,000 inspections, an increase of more than 2,000 inspections over FY 2002 levels; more than half focused on high-hazard industries. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit OSHA's website.