Update: Springs Shop Owner Responds To OSHA Safety Allegations.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced on Thursday that it has cited Springs Transmission and Automotive Inc. for unsafe work conditions and has proposed $76,000 in fines.
In an exclusive response, the shop’s owner, Greg Ehnes, tells KRDO NEWSCHANNEL 13 that he feels like he’s being picked on, hinting that OSHA cares more about generating revenue than correcting safety violations.
The citations and proposed fine are the result of an inspection that began in May at the company?s facility at 3310 Chelton Loop North in Colorado Springs, OSHA said.
?This employer has been cited for many of these conditions before and has failed to take any meaningful action,? said John Healy, OSHA?s area director in Englewood. ?OSHA will not tolerate such negligence,? Healy said.
One willful violation addresses employee exposure to unstable and unsafe vehicle lifts, said Healy. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law?s requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health, according to OSHA.
Ehnes acknowledged the violation, but wonders if the money could be better used for repairs, “There was one safety feature that was broken on the lift, and they charged me $38,000 for that one alone. It’s a thousand dollar lift, but it’s a $38,000 fine?”
“I feel like I’m being I’m being picked on,” says Ehnes, “My belief is, they’re trying to generate revenue.”
An OSHA news release regarding the investigation provided the following information: Nine repeat violations address hazards associated with chemical handling, improper electrical systems, unstable storage of materials and improper machine guarding. Springs Transmission and Automotive was cited for these same hazards in 2010. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
Six serious violations were cited for improper fire control during welding operations, inadequate personal protective equipment and a broken garage door. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
Two other-than-serious violations relate to deficient record keeping and first-aid supplies. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA?s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA?s Englewood Area Office.
