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July 23, 2013
Buffalo, New York - The Ford Motor Companyis facing nearly $41,000 fines for violations to the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OHSA] health standards at the company's Buffalo, New York plant. Among the eight “serious” violations to OSHA's code by Ford are allegations that employees were exposed to the potentially deadly toxin asbestos while on the job.
According to OSHA, a “serious” violation to their asbestos and respiratory protection standards occurs when an employer – intentionally or unintentionally – placed their employees in a position that could cause “death or serious physical harm.” In the case of Ford's Buffalo plant, one of the eight violations of “serious physical harm” occurred when a pipe fitter was exposed to insulation containing asbestos.
Further, Ford is cited for not providing proper respiratory gear to employees who regularly come into contact with asbestos; removing the asbestos-related work to a secure location, minimizing the threat of asbestos exposure to other employees; and not managing access to the location where asbestos was being handled to authorized personnel.
Asbestos is a highly toxic natural material typically used in manufacturing a variety of products. Widely used in the automotive industry, asbestos was prized for its durability, heat resistance and insulating properties, and some asbestos automotive products include brakes, brake linings, gaskets and clutches.
It is especially critical for those who work with or around asbestos materials to wear proper safety gear because breathing in asbestos particles can cause widespread internal damage. Classified as a carcinogen, exposure to asbestos can lead to serious injury and death. Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is directly linked to asbestos exposure.
According to an anonymous Ford spokesperson, the company calls the eight violations “erroneous,” and feels that the citations are not warranted. The spokesperson said that Ford is willing to work with OSHA on rectifying the violations. Formally, however, the Ford Motor Company has fifteen business days to respond to OHSA's citations.
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