Goodyear fined for alleged safety violations in Georgia

Social Circle, Georgia – Goodyear said it is following its standard administrative process in addressing citations from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) alleging safety violations at its retread materials plant in Social Circle.

OSHA issued seven citations, totalling $69,058, on 19 Jan. It gave Goodyear the choice of paying the assessed fines, attending an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or contesting the citations.

"Nothing is more important than the safety of our associates," a Goodyear spokeswoman said.

The company cooperated with OSHA during the investigation, according to the spokeswoman. Goodyear cannot discuss specifics while the case is in progress, she said.

The citations arose from inspections at Social Circle between 8 Aug and 20 Sept, 2017, OSHA said in the notification document.

The citations, all designated "serious," and the fines are as follows:

Dirty and wet workroom floors, $8,638;

Lack of personal protective equipment in work areas heated to 305-356 degrees Fahrenheit, $10,365;

Lack of clear, specific energy control procedures when employees performed maintenance on flat presses and other equipment, $12,934;

No review of lockout procedures before maintenance of flat press and mill equipment, $12,934;

No clearly marked aisles and passageways to protect employees from being struck by industrial trucks, $6,911;

A powered industrial truck still in service despite obvious disrepair, $6,911;

Failing to provide proper machine guarding during the removal of heated tire treads, $10,365.

Besides assessing the penalties, OSHA gave Goodyear until 14 Feb to correct the alleged violations.