Aeronautical parts manufacturer fined $285K by OSHA for 24 safety violations
An OSHA investigation has determined that LMI Finishing Inc., operating as Sonaca North America, exposed workers to dozens of safety hazards. The investigation began after a complaint was made about the aeronautical parts manufacturer’s lax safety environment at its Oklahoma plant. The company was cited for 23 serious violations of OSHA safety standards and one other-than-serious violation. These violations include failing to ensure electrical equipment was used as intended and free from hazards, not confirming that chemical containers were labeled, and failing to provide PPE to employees working with chromium VI, acids and caustic chemicals. Sonaca North America is still being investigated for allegations of health hazards. The company faces $284,963 in penalties,
In a recent quote, OSHA Area Director Steven Kirby said, “LMI Finishing Inc. took serious risks with its employees’ lives by not identifying and correcting multiple safety hazards. Combining confined space violations with chemicals such as chromium VI exposed multiple employees to serious safety and health hazards.”
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn
