July 28, 2016
PALATINE, Ill. – Federal safety inspectors found a suburban Chicago electroplating company continues to put its employees in danger of serious injuries by failing to install adequate machine safety guards, train workers in machine safety procedures and correct electrical deficiencies in the plant â¿¿ all violations for which inspectors cited the Arlington Plating Company in 2013.
On July 27, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the company five repeated and 16 serious safety violations after a February 2016 follow-up inspection. Arlington Plating now faces $115,930 in fines. The company provides electroplating services to the automotive, motorcycle, electronic, consumer and gaming industries.
“Most consumers never think about the dangers faced by the Arlington workers who may have plated their cars’ rims, trucks’ step rails, motorcycles’ pipes or the parts of their personal electronics,” said Angeline Loftus, area director of OSHA’s Chicago North Area Office in Des Plaines. “Every year, manufacturing workers suffer amputations, serious injuries and worse because companies like this one ignore common sense safety standards. Arlington Plating must change its dismissive attitude and do what’s right. Implement safety and health programs and provide workers with equipment that protect them from needless and avoidable job-related injuries and illnesses.”
OSHA’s inspection found the employer failed to:
Require workers to wear personal protective equipment, including goggles and face protection.
Follow respiratory protection standards, such as individual fit-testing and medical evaluations.
Install adequate machine safety guards.
Follow electrical safe work practices including using electrical equipment rated for wet and corrosive environments and remove damaged equipment from use.
Train workers on machine safety procedures, known as “lockout/tag out.”
Inspect lifting devices and remove damaged devices from service.
View the current citations here.
Founded in 1946, Arlington Plating Company is a private owned company with more than 100 people in the Chicago suburbs. It provides electroplating, and buffing and polishing services to numerous industries. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the Chicago North Area Office at (847)-803-4800.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.