Federal Safety Officials Fine Wisconsin Foundry for Silica Violations

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed fines of $95,480 for a Wisconsin carbon steel foundry for failing to protect workers from overexposure to crystalline silica from grinding operations. In re Northern Steel Castings (OSHA).

The U.S. Department of Labor's workplace safety agency said in a November release that the proposed fines against Northern Steel Castings Inc. of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., were for two safety and four health violations.

OSHA said it inspected the foundry in response to complaints that workers were being overexposed to crystalline silica, which is found in soil, sand, granite and other …