Wis. Tire Service Falls Flat on Safety, Says OSHA

The U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Pomp’s Tire Service, an industrial tire sales and servicing business in New Berlin, Wis., following a December 2004 inspection concerning workplace safety and health issues, the agency announced.

“Strong enforcement is a key part of OSHA’s efforts to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses,” said George Yoksas, OSHA area director in Milwaukee. “The significant penalty of $114,300 in this case demonstrates our commitment to protecting the health and safety of America’s workers.”

OSHA opened its inspection after receiving information that a worker at Pomp’s Tire Service had been seriously injured when a large industrial tire exploded during the filling process Nov. 19, 2004. The inspection resulted in citations alleging nine serious safety violations and one willful safety violation of federal workplace safety standards, and five alleged serious violations of workplace health standards.

OSHA issued citations for alleged serious violations relating to safety measures required during servicing of single piece rimmed tires and various fire hazards. The citations for an alleged willful violation were issued because the business failed to provide a safety restraint device for tires during filling operations. The company received serious citations as part of the health inspection for failing to provide personal protective equipment, not having emergency response plans or hazard assessment determination for personal protective equipment, and failing to train workers on the hazards of foam-fill and cleaning chemicals.

Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard or plain indifference to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.