Perry Fiberglass Products Inc. has been cited for four repeat and nine serious safety and health violations after OSHA received a complaint alleging unsafe handling of hazardous chemicals at the company's Avon Lake facility.

OSHA initiated an inspection Feb. 5, 2014, at the facility, which manufactures fiberglass pipes and tanks. Proposed penalties total $53,130.

Company doesn't take safety seriously

"It is the employer's job to protect its worker from these hazards," said Kim Nelson, OSHA's area director in Toledo. "This company's history of OSHA violations shows that they don't take that job seriously. That is unacceptable."

The investigation found repeat violations of OSHA's hazard communication standard, which requires employers to provide an effective training program with understandable information on appropriate handling and safe use of hazardous chemicals. Perry Fiberglass Products failed to label containers to identify and warn of the hazardous chemicals contained inside, use self-closing valves on containers with flammable liquids and ensure a bonding system was used when dispensing flammable chemicals into secondary containers. The company failed to provide and maintain suitable eyewash stations.

Not the first time

The company was cited for similar violations in 2010.

Nine serious citations were issued for violating respiratory protection standards, lack of training on confined space requirements, failure to require eye protection and blocking access to fire extinguishers.

Perry Fiberglass Products has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Toledo, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.