The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Regency Technologies for eleven health and safety violations. The eleven violations carry a proposed fine of $66,000.Nine of the eleven violations involve exposing workers to cadmium, which is a metal found in televisions and other electronics, at the company’s recycling facility. The OSHA area director said, “Regency Technologies has a responsibility to protect workers from unique hazards found in its facility, such as cadmium, and to conduct the proper exposure and medical monitoring necessary to ensure that permissible exposure levels are not exceeded. Exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects on the kidneys, lungs and bones.”
Eight serious citations involve violations for exposure to cadmium, including overexposure, contamination, lack of protective equipment, training, medical surveillance, and regulated areas and changing rooms for cadmium exposure.
Also, two serious health violations were cited for failing to train workers in bloodborne pathogen regulations and lack of hepatitis B vaccinations for exposure. One other-than-serious violation was cited for failing to post warning signs regarding cadmium areas.
Pulgini & Norton, LLP attorneys have handled workers’ compensation claims for over 25 years in and around Boston and its surrounding areas. If you or a family member has been injured at work and would like to seek legal assistance, please contact us at (781) 843-2200 or (888) 344-2046 or email us.
Cited Sources:
Regency Technologies fined $66,000 by US Labor Department’s OSHA for exposing workers to cadmium at Upper Sandusky electronics recycling facility, osha.gov, July 1, 2013
Upper Sandusky firm fined $66,000 by OSHA, The Toledo Blade, July 2, 2013