MANHEIM, Pa. — A Lancaster County auto reconditioning business is facing $51,000 in fines after an OSHA investigation turned up serious violations. Dent Wizard International, located at 1190 Lancaster Road in Manheim, was issued 31 serious and 9 non-serious health and safety citations. OSHA received a complaint about alleged hazards in the company’s spray-painting operations, prompting an inspection on Dec. 14, 2015.
The serious violations included:
– Not training employees on chemical hazards.
– Not evaluating the workplace for respiratory hazards, and other respiratory protection deficiencies.
– Storing combustible waste in unsafe containers and not removing them daily.
– Not ensuring that spray painting areas were built with fire resistant materials, sprinklers and dust tight lights, wiring, receptacles and breaker boxes.
– Permitting workers to use spray products containing toxic compounds with potential to cause asthma-like reactions, and with potential cancer risk to humans.
– Not providing adequate protective equipment and eye-wash stations.
The agency also cited the company for permitting combustible residue accumulations on surfaces; lacking soap, tepid water or hand towels in portable toilets; and not having signs posted to forbid smoking in areas with flammable and combustible products in use.
“Dent Wizard allowed heat lamps in spray painting booths, which created a serious fire risk and jeopardized worker safety. This and other dangerous safety and health hazards associated with using spray products with toxic compounds highlight the importance of protecting workers through an effective workplace safety and health program,” said Kevin Kilp, OSHA’s area director in Harrisburg. “Dent Wizard should take immediate action to address the cited hazards to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees.”
According to the OSHA press release, Dent Wizard is based in Bridgeton, Missouri, and is the nation’s largest provider of automotive reconditioning services. The company employs 1,600 technicians in the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1983, Dent Wizard provides on-site reconditioning services and products to the automotive industry through its relationships with dealerships, auto auctions, body shops, rental companies and insurance companies. Its services include dent repair, bumper repair, wheel repair, windshield chip repair, chip and scratch repair, headlight brightening, and key programming and replacement.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
