The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $124,212 in penalties for a Selma brick manufacturer that investigators say exposed workers to respiratory hazards.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Tuesday that it determined Henry Brick Co. exposed workers to silica crystalline dust, which has the potential to lead to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease.

Attempts to contact the company for comment were not immediately successful. Henry Brick has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings.

According to a news release, OSHA found 11 serious citations, including:

• Exposing workers to airborne concentrations of crystalline silica dust of up to six-and-a-half times the permissible exposure level.
• Failed to evaluate and implement engineering controls and work practices to reduce and maintain employee exposure.
• Failed to provide effective training to employeesl.
• Neglected to offer free medical surveillance.
• Required employees to wear respirators without first providing training as required.
• Neglected to fit test or provide medical evaluation for workers required to wear respirators.
• Allowed employees to work in areas that required respirators without providing a respiratory protection program that met requirements.

“Crystalline silica can be deadly. Workers who are overexposed to it can contract incurable, progressively disabling and sometimes fatal illnesses. This is why employers must take every precaution to protect employees from this danger,” said OSHA Area Office Director Jose Gonzalez, who is based in Mobile.