The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Panolam Industries International Inc., an Atlanta-area commercial lamination company, for 18 serious safety and health violations with proposed penalties of $79,650.

Violations include failing to ensure machines don't accidentally start up while workers are performing service, maintenance and repairs; not removing forklifts with defective safety equipment from service and not training workers on the hazards of exposure to formaldehyde. Other violations include failing to train temporary workers on the hazards of using chemicals and not providing safety data sheets for chemicals being used.

Johnson Service Group and Randstad North America Inc. provided Panolam Industries with temporary workers, while the laminating company provided daily supervision, training and direction for the temporary workers employed at the facility. OSHA concluded an inspection with Johnson Service Group and Randstad North America and did not issue citations to the staffing agencies.

“Taking defective safety equipment out of rotation should be a no-brainer. When employers fail to address workplace hazards, workers are put at risk of illness, serious injury or even death,” said William Fulcher, OSHA's director of the Atlanta-East area office. “This inspection underscores the need for workers to inform OSHA of workplace hazards because no one should have to work in dangerous conditions just to make a living.”