OSHA Enforcement: Warren, Ohio, Battery Cell Manufacturing Plant Proposed Penalty Assessment

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued an October 12th news release addressing Ultium Cells LLC (“UC”).

UC is described as a Warren, Ohio, battery cell manufacturing plant.

The plant is stated to be a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution.

OSHA is stated to have examined the cause of a March 2023 explosion and fire at the plant.

The news release states that OSHA inspections have resulted in the company being cited for 19 violations. These are alleged to include exposing workers to machine and chemical hazards by failing to use and train workers on safety and emergency response procedures.

The alleged violations identified by OSHA include failure to:

• Periodically test energy control procedures for various equipment.
• Install required machine guarding.
• Train workers in hazardous energy control procedures.
• Provide safe access and egress for packing employees, who were exposed to trip and fall hazards.
• Train workers in emergency response operations, including the release of hazardous N-Methylpyrrolidone.
• Coordinate emergency responses with an incident response system.
• Provide respiratory protection from exposure to hazardous chemicals that can cause numbness, dizziness and nausea.
• Train workers on the physical and health risks of hazardous chemicals used in the workplace.
• Provide safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals.
• Store chemicals in labeled containers.
• Select appropriate personal protective equipment and provide training on the use of PPE for potential exposure to chemical hazards, such as electrolyte and dried coating material.
• Provide eye wash stations, emergency showers and hand protection.
• Inform employees of their right to report workplace injuries and illnesses.
• Allow an employee to freely report an injury.

OSHA has proposed $270,091 in penalties and issued a Hazard Alert Letter asking the plant to voluntarily reduce accumulation of metal dust and protect employees from unsafe metal dust exposure.

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

A copy of the news release can be downloaded here.