Kansas’ Spirit Aerosystems Faces $193.2K in Penalties for Carcinogen Exposure

Spirit Aerosystems Inc. – based in Wichita, Kansas – has been cited for exposing employees to carcinogen hazards and faces penalties of $193,218 for two repeated and four serious violations, federal safety officials say.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) alleges the company failed to implement feasible engineering controls to limit employee exposure to hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen, and conduct periodic monitoring of employee exposure.

OSHA also alleges the company failed to establish protocols to ensure that employees remove contaminated personal protective equipment and clothing before leaving the work area.

OSHA also alleges the company failed to prevent exposure to hexavalent chromium during aircraft painting and allowed the accumulation of hexavalent chromium on surfaces and failed to ensure that employee respirators fit properly.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA