The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations to Valmont Coatings-Oklahoma Galvanizing in Claremore, Okla., and proposed penalties totaling $126,000 for safety and health violations which sent 18 employees to the hospital.

OSHA’s inspection was prompted by sulfuric acid exposures that occurred when employees cleaned up a spill from the rupture of a storage tank. OSHA cited Valmont Coatings for one alleged willful violation for failing to provide personal protective equipment to employees who responded to the acid spill.

OSHA also cited Valmont Coatings for eight alleged serious citations, including failure to ensure that the premises were free from hazardous conditions such as exposure to concentrated sulfuric acid or being struck by debris caused by leakage and/or rupture of a storage tank operating under pressure; failure to develop and implement an emergency response plan; failure to assure the senior emergency response official took charge of the situation at the site when the spill occurred; and failure to train employees in emergency response operations.

"If the employer would have taken the appropriate precautions to protect its employees, it is possible that this incident could have been avoided," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This Administration is committed to using strong enforcement to protect the health and safety of America's workers. Fortunately, there was no loss of life."

Valmont Industries has had numerous inspections in past years, one of which resulted in proposed penalties of $20,000 when an employee died in Valley, Neb., after being crushed by a stamper machine in July 1996. Violations involved machine guarding and control of hazardous energy.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the Oklahoma City area office, or contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Valmont Coatings-Oklahoma Galvanizing, a hot-dip galvanizing business, is owned by Valmont Industries Inc., headquartered in Omaha., Neb. The company employs more than 3000 workers, with about 100 located in Claremore.

While employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees, 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.