An OSHA inspection of a wood crate manufacturer found that permanent and temporary employees faced excessive noise, improper hand protection and respiratory irritation due to wood dust exposure at the North American Container Corp. in Adairsville, Georgia. The company makes crates and corrugated boxes for lawn and garden products, such as all-terrain vehicles, tractors, lawn mowers and blowers. Headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, North American Container has eight other production facilities in Georgia, Wisconsin, Tennessee and South Carolina.

OSHA's October 2014 investigation resulted in eight safety and health violations, with proposed penalties of $59,400.

"The repeated violations cited in this inspection show the employer's lack of commitment to protect employees from workplace hazards," said Christi Griffin, director of OSHA's Atlanta-West Area Office.

OSHA issued four repeated citations to the container manufacturer for lacking an emergency action plan; failing to anchor a drill press to the floor securely; not providing employee training on the hazards of inhalation of wood dust; and failing to give workers Appendix D of the respirator standard. North American Container was cited for these same violations in 2010 and 2014.

Four serious violations include equipping exit doors with sliding locks that could prohibit employees from leaving the facility quickly; not providing proper hand protection; failing to establish a noise testing program; and not training employees on the hazards of excessive noise levels.

North American Container employs temporary workers through staffing agencies TRP Partners LLC, in Dalton, and Flexible Staffing, in Cartersville. North American provides training and oversight for its temporary employees, so OSHA did not cite the staffing agencies after this inspection.

OSHA has inspected North American Container four times since 2010. The company received citations for noise exposure, respirator protection and proper installation of guards to protect users from operating machine parts.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.