OSHA Cites Ford’s Buffalo Plant Over Asbestos

Federal safety officials have cited Ford Motor Co.’s Buffalo, N.Y. plant for alleged asbestos violations.

The Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed fines of $41,800.

OSHA officials say inspectors found eight violations. One involved a pipefitter who they say was exposed to asbestos while working on a steam line. In other cases, OSHA says workers didn’t wear respiratory protection while exposed to asbestos and that the company did not properly monitor work areas for the potentially cancer-causing substance.

Ford has 15 business days to respond.

The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker didn’t initially respond to a request for comment Wednesday.