A recent investigation by federal workplace safety officials has found that a recycling company in Janesville, Wisconsin, continues to expose its workers to hazardous levels of lead and cadmium. This comes after the company was cited for similar violations in April 2023.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted a follow-up inspection in April 2024 at Universal Recycling Technologies LLC. The inspection revealed that the company had not implemented sufficient engineering controls and failed to maintain surfaces free from lead and cadmium accumulations.

“Chronic overexposures to these toxic metals may cause severe damage to blood-forming, nervous, urinary and reproductive systems,” stated Chad Greenwood, OSHA Area Director in Madison, Wisconsin. He emphasized that “Universal Recycling Technologies cannot solely rely on personal protective equipment as the primary source of protection. The company must focus on continuous improvement of engineering controls to reduce employee exposures to hazardous air contaminants.”

As a result of these findings, OSHA cited Universal Recycling Technologies for two repeat violations, six serious violations, and one other-than-serious violation. The proposed penalties amount to $202,820.

The agency highlighted several specific failures by the company:

- Lack of biological monitoring for employees exposed every six months.

- Failure to collect samples representing full shift exposures.

- Not ensuring contaminated protective clothing was removed at shift completion.

- Not requiring showers for workers exposed at shift end.

- Absence of a regulated area for contamination control.

- Inadequate training on the additive effects of lead and cadmium.

Universal Recycling Technologies LLC operates facilities not only in Janesville but also in Dover, New Hampshire; Clackamas, Oregon; and Fort Worth, Texas.

The company now has 15 business days from receiving the citations to either comply with OSHA's directives or contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Alternatively, they may request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director.

For further information about OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Lead or insights into metal exposures at electronic scrap recycling facilities provided by the CDC report can be accessed through their respective platforms.