The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recently found that there are several hazards related to the use and presence of hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen, in the aircraft repair engine station of Budney Overhaul & Repair, Ltd. Inc.
Budney specializes in the repair and overhaul of various aviation engine and airframe components, with its repair facilities located at 131 New Park Drive, Berlin, Connecticut.
It was established in 1988, this business is actually composed of two companies, a FAA/JAA licensed repair station, and an OEM (original equipment manufacturer).
This company offers overhaul and manufacturing services which include FAA/DER repair preparation, machining operations, welding, plating, plasma and painting. It has a high profile customer list that includes the leaders in the gas turbine and APU manufacturing industry.
By virtue of its operations and the chemical substances Budney uses, hazards to its workers are therefore part of its operational issues.
OSHA inspectors responded to complaints against the company and found that the grievances are valid. The inspectors found out that there is employee overexposure to hexavalent chromium coupled with a failure to monitor exposure levels and lack of adequate controls to decrease contact levels.
Other violations committed by the company include failure to train employees and give them information on the dangers of the said chemical to decrease their exposure levels, failure to provide personal protective equipment for the exposed workers, permitting employees to enter drinking and eating areas while wearing contaminated clothing, and not instructing workers to remove their working clothes after their work shifts.
The OSHA inspectors also found out that there are fire and burn hazards in the working areas due to incorrect disposal and storage of flammable materials. Additionally, the company also failed to remove ignition sources from areas where easily ignitable vapors were present.
With these findings, the OSHA cited Budney on Feb. 19, 2016 on counts that the company committed twelve serious violations of workplace safety standards. The agency recommended the company to pay a penalty of $46,287.
