The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Cleveland Brothers Inc., doing business as CB HYMAC, for exposing employees to hexavalent chromium fumes and other safety hazards at the company’s shop in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

The company provides hydraulic service and repair, machining and chromic services. They received one willful violation, 18 serious and two other-than-serious citations. They face $280,874 in penalties.

OSHA initiated an investigation in July 2019 after they got a complaint of overexposure to the toxic chemical. OSHA cited the company for failing to train employees on the hazards of hexavalent chromium, and for failing to maintain a respiratory protection program.

“Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium can result in significant adverse health effects for employees,” said OSHA Harrisburg Area Director David Olah. “Engineering controls must be implemented and affected employees must be trained to recognize the hazards of this toxic chemical.”

“Employers must continually evaluate their facilities for hazards, and use proper safety controls and equipment to protect workers’ safety,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “OSHA provides free resources to help employers comply with hexavalent chromium standards.”

OSHA’s hexavalent chromium page provides resources on protecting employees from the hazards caused by this chemical.

Read more from OSHA here.