Columbus business cited for 22 serious violations. Feds levy over $180,000 in penalties

Kelby Hutchison
·3 min read

A Columbus auto parts manufacturer has been cited for multiple serious violations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Federal safety investigators learned that a 41-year-old maintenance technician at the auto parts manufacturer endured severe injuries in August 2023 from an electrical transformer explosion, according to OSHA’s detailed report.

OSHA said this incident came six days after opening a complaint inspection and prompted a second investigation to be opened.

Here’s what OSHA’s detailed report offered on one of the violations: “On or about August 10, 2023, and at times prior, employees were exposed to severe skin burns and eye damage, in that the employer did not ensure employees who work with Isofast 705 Catalyst DR400 and Alpha-Cleaner 9006 were provided personal protective equipment, such as but not limited to chemical goggles.”

OSHA investigators found the worker of Aludyne Columbus LLC, operating as Aludyne Columbus Foundry, was severely injured by an arc flash while attempting to replace a blown fuse on a transformer.

In another detailed incident, which drew $16,000 in penalties, OSHA said: “The employer did not demarcate regulated areas from the rest of the workplace in a manner that minimized the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica within the regulated area: a) Walkway Between Cell-19 Area and Kuka Line; On or about August 10, 2023, the employer exposed employees to respirable crystalline silica, in that the employer did not demarcate regulated areas from the rest of the walkways in a manner that minimized the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica above the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).”

OSHA said the worker was later transported to Piedmont Hospital.

The release said OSHA cited Aludyne Columbus for 22 serious and three other-than-serious violations across both inspections.

The agency also noted these issues with Aludyne Columbus:

  • Failed to require employees to don appropriately certified electrical suits while changing out electrical components in a high voltage energized area.

  • Allowed workers to use non-insulated tools within approximately 12 inches of energized power lines in a high voltage energized area.

  • Exposed workers to an airborne concentration of respirable silica of up to 15 times above the permissible time-weighted average.

  • Failed to provide National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-approved respirators to employees exposed to silicosis hazards.

  • Did not provide fit testing to workers required to wear respirators while exposed to crystalline silica.

  • Failed to provide protective equipment such as goggles and gloves to workers handling chemicals.

  • Did not keep an emergency eye wash station free from debris and ready for immediate use.

OSHA has proposed penalties totaling $182,344, according to the release.

“Aludyne Columbus LLC’s failure to prioritize employee safety and health nearly cost a worker their life and allowed employees to be overexposed to silica well above the permissible exposure limit,” said OSHA Atlanta-West Area Office Director Jeffery Stawowy in a statement.

“This employer must take worker safety seriously by assessing hazards and taking responsibility for protecting their workers,” said Stawowy.

Aludyne Columbus LLC has contested the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, according to OSHA.