Inspectors say the facility was still “endangering its workers” in a visit in January of this year, almost two years after the DOL added Osaka, Japan-based Kyoei Steel LTD—which operates as Vinton Steel LLC in Texas—to its list of “severe violators” and cited it for 19 serious violations.
According to DOL, inspectors in January found the facility was failing to keep employees away from loads being lifted by slings, which were also not in “good working order,” and wasn’t properly guarding machinery, exposing workers to moving parts, not keeping fire extinguishers in good operating condition, and failing to ensure workplace respirators were properly fit.
The recycling facility was also not completing evaluations to determine whether workers knew how to properly use a respirator, the department said.
The department said Kyoei Steel LTD has 15 business days to comply with the penalties, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the department’s findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Vinton Steel LLC operates in the United States with roughly 400 employees represented by United Steelworkers Local 9424.
The company and its subsidiaries operate primarily in Japan, with additional operations in Canada and Vietnam.
In the past five years, Vinton Steel has been involved in 10 workplace safety incidents, including five that involved an employee’s amputation injury, according to the department.
When adding Vinton Steel to its list of “severe violators” in April 2022, OSHA also proposed fining it $364,078 in penalties.
“Vinton Steel continues to show a callous disregard for the safety of its employees by exposing them to potentially deadly hazards,” said OSHA Area Director Diego Alvarado Jr. in a statement.
“The company must immediately stop endangering its workers and correct its safety failures before someone gets seriously injured or worse,” he added.
The Epoch Times has contacted spokespersons at Vinton Steel and Kyoei Steel LTD for comment.
