Quad/Graphics Plant Cited for OSHA Violations

ATGLEN, PA—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited “QG LLC” (Quad/Graphics, formerly World Color) for eight serious violations of the process safety management standards at its facility here in response to an employee complaint. Proposed penalties total $54,000.

“Process safety management prevents the unexpected release of toxic, reactive or flammable liquids and gases in processes involving highly hazardous chemicals,” said Albert D’Imperio, OSHA’s area director in Philadelphia. “It’s vital that QG ensure safeguards are in place to protect the safety of workers at this facility.”

The serious citations issued for the process safety management standard violations include failing to:

* provide information pertaining to the equipment being used,
* establish written operating procedures and safe work practices,
* conduct employee training,
* conduct a pre-start up safety review,
* implement written procedures for ongoing integrity,
* develop procedures for management of change,
* certify that compliance was evaluated at least every three years, and
* ensure that installations of equipment in hazardous locations were intrinsically safe or approved for the hazardous location.

A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The web offset printing facility with approximately 240 employees has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.