Julie Su Acting United States Secretary of Labor | Official Website
AUSTIN, TX – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation has revealed significant safety and health violations at Ecore International Inc.'s Mexia plant, one of the largest manufacturers of commercial flooring and surfaces in the nation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted an inspection in January 2024, uncovering more than a dozen violations.
The investigation found that employees were required to stand on elevated forklift tines to reach work areas, small fires occurred due to improper combustible dust buildup, potentially explosive atmospheres were permitted, safe welding areas were lacking, slip, trip and fall hazards existed, untrained workers operated forklifts, and machines lacked necessary safety guards.
"Ecore International must extend the innovation it credits for its company’s success to the safety and health of the people who help make and sell its products," said OSHA Area Director Monica Camacho in Austin. "At the company’s Mexia facility, our inspectors found employees forced to climb atop forklifts to do their jobs, workers exposed to potential dangers of fire and explosion, and many unprotected from the risks of falls and unguarded machines."
OSHA issued citations for one willful violation and 15 serious violations against Ecore International. The company faces $299,591 in proposed penalties.
In May 2024, a separate investigation at a new Ecore facility in Ozark, Alabama discovered similar unchecked machine guard hazards along with risks of electrocution and amputation for employees.
"A successful enterprise like Ecore International has the resources to establish and follow a comprehensive safety and health program and to address hazards proactively before disaster strikes," added Camacho.
Founded in 1871 and based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Ecore International Inc. includes ECOsurfaces, Surface America, A-Turf, and SpectraTurf companies. It serves customers across more than 75 countries in various industries including healthcare, hospitality, education, retail wellness sports fitness sectors. In the U.S., its clients range from daycare centers to universities located in multiple states including Arizona California Colorado Florida Maine Maryland Nevada Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington D.C.
Ecore International Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of citation penalties either comply request informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest findings before independent Occupational Safety Health Review Commission.
