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A & S Metals cited for 12 safety violations, $59,000 penalty

Posted: Nov 27, 2012 6:07 PM by KXLF Media Center

A & S Metals in Butte was cited for 12 safety violations resulting in $59,000 of penalty fees. Officials from the U.S. Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said they are surprised no employees died or suffered amputation while working in the facility.

Early this year OSHA received complaints from employees about the work conditions and performed a full inspection in July, according to Jeff Funke, Billings area director for OSHA.

"They had gas cylinders, compressed gas cylinders that were not secure," Funke said. "We had electrical components, that had energized parts that we exposed and didn't have covers. We had machine guarding violations including an unguarded drill press, a compactor, and an alligator shear along with what's called a right-angle, or portable grinder, that were not guarded."

The scrap metal recycling center was cited for $59,000 for serious and other than serious penalties.

"The ten serious violations resulted in $58,000 in penalties, and the two other than serious resulted in $1,000 in penalties," Funke said.

The company is required to schedule a conference with OSHA within the next 15 business days to review corrective action. If the two parties do not come to an agreement, the proposed penalties will be presented to a judge who will make the final order.

"I am very hopeful that they will come to the table and we can resolve this at the lowest level possible," Funke said.

In the last year A & S Metals employees have been injured at work. The injuries have not been serious, according to Funke.

Representatives for A & S Metals were unavailable for comment.