OSHA cites Ford's Buffalo plant over asbestos

OSHA cites Ford's Buffalo plant over asbestos, respiratory protection, proposes $42K in fines

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Federal safety officials have cited Ford Motor Co.'s Buffalo-area plant for alleged asbestos violations.

The Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed fines of $41,800.

OSHA officials say inspectors found eight violations. One involved a pipefitter who they say was exposed to asbestos while working on a steam line. In other cases, OSHA says workers didn't wear respiratory protection while exposed to asbestos and that the company did not properly monitor work areas for the potentially cancer-causing substance.

Ford has 15 business days to respond.

The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker didn't initially respond to a request for comment Wednesday.