OSHA Targets Southern Parts Suppliers

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is launching a safety inspection blitz of some 2,900 auto parts plants in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, Automotive News reports.

OSHA cites an upturn in safety incidents, especially regarding machine shields and electric shock protection. The agency aims to complete the inspections within 12 months.

But AN says the targeted states may have better safety records than other states with a heavy concentration of auto parts plants. It cites Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2012 (the most recent available) that show injury and illness incident rates per 100 employees of 3.7 for Georgia and 4.8 for Alabama compared with 6.3 for Michigan.

Industry trade groups are helping parts makers in the states prepare for the inspections, according to AN. The newspaper notes that OSHA fines range from $5,000 to $200,000 per infraction.