ANDALUSIA, Alabama -- An Alabama-based auto parts supplier for Hyundai and Kia is facing fines up to $102,000 after it allegedly exposed its workers to amputation, electrical and struck-by hazards in its Andalusia and LaFayette plants.



The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Saehaesung Alabama Inc. for 10 safety violations following inspections at the factories in June and July 2014.



In 2010 and 2011, OSHA conducted inspections at the Andalusia plant and issued citations for machine guarding, industrial trucks and failure to protect employees from moving machine parts during service or maintenance work.



"Employers cannot wait for an OSHA inspection to identify the hazards that expose their employees to serious injury or death," said Joseph Roesler, OSHA's area director in Mobile. "Implementing preventive programs and systems to ensure such hazards are identified and corrected as part of the company's day-to-day operations is imperative and makes good business sense."

A Saehaesung spokesman told AL.com he had not seen the citations.



OSHA issued three repeat citations. The Andalusia plant was cited for failure to develop specific procedures to protect workers from moving machine parts during service or maintenance work. The Andalusia and LaFayette facilities were also cited for exposing workers to amputation hazards by failing to provide required guards on welding machines. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.



Three serious citations were issued to each facility for storage of material on steel racks with damaged support columns and no floor anchor, which exposed employees to struck-by hazards. The LaFayette plant also received a citation for exposing workers to electric shock hazards by not protecting them from damaged wiring while operating a press welding machine.



OSHA issued four other citations for a damaged electrical cord, breaker panel and emergency stop switch, and for failure to train employees working with chemical hazards.



Headquartered in Daegu, Korea, Saehaesung Alabama manufactures automotive chassis and body parts for Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. The Andalusia and LaFayette facilities employ 365 workers.



The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to respond. You can read the citations here and here.

Don Crysell, Saehaesung Alabama safety manager, issued the following statement disputing the OSHA citations:

"Saehaesung acknowledges receipt of citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Commission ("OSHA"). Saehaesung fully cooperated with OSHA's recent inspection because it is committed to the continued health and safety of its entire workforce. Saehaesung has worked very hard throughout its history to provide a safe work environment for its team members. We have been working continuously on improving Saehaesung's training programs, encouraging team members to take ownership of safety and ensuring their work environment is safe. It is because of these efforts that Saehaesung plans to vigorously contest citations for which it believes there is no factual or legal basis. Although Saehaesung may not agree with each of the citations, Saehaesung will fully cooperate with OSHA to further improve workplace safety. Saehaesung considers its employees as its greatest asset and the health and safety of those employees as its greatest priority."

The story was updated at 4:20 p.m Jan. 5, 2015 with a comment from Saehaesung.