Reports of three separate fires at a Wisconsin coatings company led to an OSHA inspection – and the issuance of citations for eight safety violations.

Many of the violations against Quest Specialty Coatings were cited under the agency's Process Safety Management Standards, which contain specific requirements for managing highly hazardous chemicals in work processes. The aerosol paint and coatings manufacturer faces penalties totaling $132,800.

OSHA issued one willful violation for failing to conduct necessary inspections and tests on emergency fire control, bypass and relief valves to ensure they were mechanically sound and not dangerous to operators. The company failed to follow recommended inspection timetables for pumps and motors. The company was issued two repeat citations for failing to develop complete and accurate operating procedures and compile necessary process safety information. The company was cited for similar violations in 2012 at this same facility.

Quest Specialty Coatings failed to address the potential for static accumulation and discharge and train employees in the equipment processes and emergency shutdown procedures for the machines they were operating. The company did not ensure that procedures to maintain mechanical integrity were performed, such as inspecting valves and pipes. In addition, the company failed to inspect procedures and train workers on the hazards of servicing and maintenance, resulting in five serious violations.

To view the citations, visit http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/QuestSpecialtyCoatingsLLC_975139.pdf

Quest Specialty Coatings, which is based in Menomonee Falls, employs 130 workers.