Methylene chloride hazards result in $357K OSHA fine

If workers might be exposed to methylene chloride, it's up to your company to monitor their exposure levels and ensure they're safe. Otherwise, OSHA will do it for you.

Fine: $357,000
Company: DCB Manufacturing, Inc.,
Buffalo, NY
Business: Pharmaceutical plant
Reasons for fine:
6 willful violations, including:

• failure to put effective controls and
  
• work practices in place to reduce
  
• employee exposure levels
  
• inadequate exposure monitoring
  
• failure to provide medical
  
• surveillance and information about
  
• methylene chloride to workers
  
• 3 serious violations, including:
  
• failure to determine employee
  
• exposure to methylene chloride
  
• not informing workers about the
  
• existence and location of
  
• monitoring records