Vernon Company Faces $59k in OSHA Fines

It all started with a fire in a titanium dust collection system at a machining shop in Vernon and now a company is facing more than $59,000 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration fines for 20 health and safety violations.

A work bench inside Soldream Inc. caught fire on May 19 while an employee was cleaning titanium aircraft parts, according to an OSHA release.

OSHA found that the bench hadn’t been designed or equipped for work with titanium and the dust collection system lacked proper fire and explosion controls.

There were also additional fire hazards from a lack of sprinklers and fire safeguards in spray booths were flammable liquid was sprayed on parts.

“In addition to fire and explosion hazards, workers at this facility faced serious cuts and amputations, electrocution, illnesses and other serious injuries due to a lack of safeguards,” said Warren Simpson, OSHA’s area director in Hartford. “Clearly, worker safety and health were not the priorities they should have been. Soldream must quickly and effectively address these issues for the health and well-being of its employees.”

Employees who worked with the hazardous chemical molybdenum sulfide lacked proper respiratory protection, according to OSHA.

Several milling machines had inoperative or bypassed interlock system, which could expose employees to being caught in machines, according to the release.

Soldream has 15 business days to comply or contest the proposed fines.