SUWANEE - A company that produces auto parts in Suwanee faces almost $56,000 in federal fines following an inspection by investigators for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).<br />
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PAI Industries, Inc. at Northbrook Parkway was issued 14 citations for serious violations following the inspection last fall. The inspection was part of a regional canvassing of automotive industries, according to a press release from the U.S. Labor Department.<br />
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OSHA issued the citations to PAI for not ensuring machinery could not accidentally start up during maintenance and servicing; not requiring eye protection for workers changing propane tanks on forklifts; exposing workers to trip and fall hazards and not providing a workplace free from recognized hazards. <br />
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Five other violations include the employer failing to implement a noise monitoring program and not ensuring fire extinguishers were properly mounted and labeled. <br />
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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.<br />
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"The results from this on-site enforcement inspection illustrate the need for OSHA's focus on the automotive parts industry," said William Fulcher director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. "Employers can't only rely on OSHA to identify hazards; they must be proactive in protecting the health and safety of their workers."<br />
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PAI officials have until February 17 to appeal the citations and fines.<br />
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