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Missouri employers could be fined by OSHA for lead exposure

Certain work hazards are inevitable in some lines of employment. However, some Missouri employers may have exposed workers to hazards that were avoidable. Two companies have been fined by OSHA for exposing workers to workplace accidents.

Employees were working on a historical building and visited health care providers after experiencing some symptoms. During their visits, medical professionals took blood samples and discovered lead in their system. This information was forwarded to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration who conducted inspections for both companies. The inspections revealed that there were severe fall hazards and unsafe levels of lead. According to reports, exposure to lead can cause symptoms of nausea and fatigue and cause impairment to the central nervous system.

The companies were fined in the amount of $49,600 and $119,000. Durable Restoration was fined for willful violation, involving failure to monitor exposure to lead. Spectrum Painting faced a series of serious violations, including failure to create a lead compliance program and failure to have a hazard communication program. An area director with OSHA stated that adhering to health and safety standards may reduce the amount of exposure to lead.

Workplace accidents are burdensome for employees who experience them. In some environments, employees are risking their health and safety by simply showing up for work. It is required by Missouri law that employers accommodate a safe workplace to protect the workers as much as possible. When the cause of a workplace injury is a result of the employer’s negligence, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may be helpful for employees looking to recoup compensation.

Source: workerscompensation.com, 2 Ohio Companies Cited for Exposing Workers to Dangerous Levels of Lead, Serious Fall Hazards, No author, March 25, 2014