Atlanta Paper Recycler Cited by OSHA

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that Nexus Pulp and Paper, an Atlanta paper recycling company, has been cited for allegedly failing to correct workplace health hazards.

OSHA reports that during an inspection this past spring, an OSHA compliance officer found the company failed to make corrections to violations uncovered during an OSHA 2009 inspection of the location. The violations included failing to develop a written personal protective equipment hazard assessment to determine the protection needed by workers for each job; and failing to provide employees with training in how to use personal protective equipment.

In an announcement, OSHA also notes that Nexus employees were exposed to chemicals without access to material safety data sheets with information on those chemicals, a written hazard communication program warning them concerning their exposure to chemicals and training on the hazards of the chemicals used in their work areas.

OSHA has proposed a fine of $48,000 for the company.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the 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.

A spokesman for Nexus refused to comment on the citations.