OSHA Cites Battery Recycling Company for Exposing Workers to Inhalation Hazards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced that a federal workplace safety investigation found that despite warnings since March of 2020 for unsafe measures of lead exposure, a battery recycling facility and smelter in Florida failed to make changes that resulted in worker exposure to lead inhalation hazards.

OSHA cited the company that operates the facility with a willful violation for exposing workers to inhalation hazards. The business also failed to provide employees with adequate respirators that could have kept worker exposure to hazardous substances at or below the allowable level. Other citations include:

• Allowing cadmium, lead and inorganic arsenic exposure levels above the permissible exposure limit (PEL)
• Not implementing adequate engineering and work practice controls to prevent lead and inorganic arsenic exposure levels above the PEL
• Allowing workers to share aluminized jackets that were damaged and stored in the open, and exposed to lead
• Requiring workers to wear respirators that were not fit-tested annually
• Using shoveling, sweeping or brushing methods to remove lead accumulations.
• Not identifying all hazards on entry permits

 
“This company faces proposed penalties of over $300,000 according to OSHA,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Regulations are in place to protect workers and the public from exposure to lead and other heavy metals and violations can be costly. EMSL, with four laboratories in Florida and dozens more across the rest of the United States and Canada, offers industrial hygiene and environmental testing for these toxic heavy metals. We also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments and wide range of personal protective equipment (PPE).”

To learn more about laboratory testing services and products, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . For access to lead and other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com. 

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail