RUMFORD – After being cited for dozens of federal safety and health code violations, the town has formed a Public Safety Committee to review recommended remedies.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection was done recently by the state Bureau of Labor Standards, which tracks OSHA regulations. A state official checked the municipal building, fire station and town garage, issuing a list of about 100 violations.
At Thursday’s meeting of selectmen, board member Greg Buccina, the OSHA inspector for NewPage Corp. paper mill, said he was disturbed about how the town got into the situation.
“After looking at this list of citations, a lot of this should never have happened,” he said.
Many of the citations involve training lapses and lax record keeping.
“This may be important in legal actions. A lot of things should have been known before. If OSHA hadn’t come in, we wouldn’t be doing anything,” he said.
Andy Russell, superintendent of public works, said this was the first inspection in six years.
He said of the 40 citations his department received, 20 have been fixed, including such things as labeling chemical containers, covering outlet receptacles and securing gas cylinders. A few he has questions about.
“I don’t know where he is coming from. I feel the department is already following safety measures,” he said, referring to a requirement to wear personal protective equipment while doing certain jobs.
He estimated it would take about $10,000 to fix some of the other items including placing signs in pumping stations and providing fall protection equipment for workers who enter stations 20 feet or more deep, purchasing a new trench cage for digging holes and additional safety equipment, and for providing training. Among the training needed, he said, is for fire extinguisher use and blood borne pathogens.
Selectmen voted Thursday to get bids for necessary electrical work in the Municipal Building and engineering proposals to address any egress or structural problems the nearly century-old building may have.
A state fire marshal’s inspection there revealed a lack of emergency lighting, exit lighting, backstage lighting and a fire alarm in the auditorium.
John Woulfe, chief of the Rumford Fire Department, has already removed 11 volunteer firefighters from the call force roster until they meet the minimum training required by OSHA.
Town Manager John Eldridge told selectmen he has met with all department heads and has begun a plan of action. He said many violations have already been fixed.
Scott Holmes, deputy fire chief, was named to head the new safety committee.
“This will keep people aware,” Eldridge said.
Bureau of Labor spokesman Adam Fisher has said the aim is to provide safe working areas, not fine towns.
The town has until April 15 to complete a plan to comply with OSHA regulations.
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