OSHA cites Dayton companies over exit, training violations

Two Dayton companies were cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and face a combined $64,200 in penalties after a pair of investigations found hazards including blocked exits and other issues.OSHA said Tuesday in a news release that apparel company Imagine Screen Printing & Productions LLC and affiliated distribution company Freeze, also known as Central Mills Inc., were cited for a combined 22 violations at the 473 Ridge Road site they share.

“The safety and health hazards found in both inspections put workers at risk of being seriously injured or worse, and should be immediately corrected,” Patricia Jones, director of OSHA’s Avenel Area Office, said in a prepared statement. “Employers are legally responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for employees.”

OSHA inspected Imagine on Oct. 1, 2014, in response to a complaint, then expanded the inspection to include Freeze on Nov. 6, 2014, it said. The inspectors found 15 serious violations tied to Imagine, including blocked exits, trip-and-fall hazards, lack of a hearing conservation program, lack of chemical hazard and lockout/tagout training and more. They also found seven similar serious violations tied to Freeze, including blocked aisles and exits and lack of chemical hazard training, among others.

The agency proposed $43,200 in penalties for Imagine and $21,000 in penalties for Freeze.

The two companies had 15 days from the receipt of the citations to accept or contest them, or request a meeting with the area director.

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