US Labor Department cites Selma brick manufacturer for exposing workers to respiratory hazards that can lead to incurable lung disease

Summary:

United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations and proposed penalties to Henry Brick Co. Inc., a clay brick manufacturer in Selma, Alabama, for exposing workers to silica crystalline respiratory hazards. The agency found that the company failed to implement proper controls, provide training, and offer medical surveillance to employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica. This exposure can lead to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease. The company faces 11 serious citations and $124,212 in penalties.