WionDrive News Desk 
General Motors (GM) and LG Energy Solution, partners in a joint venture battery plant in Ohio, are facing a proposed fine of USD 270,000 from U.S. investigators due to safety and health violations. The violations stem from a thorough examination conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) into an incident at the Ultium Cells plant in March, which involved an explosion and fire. OSHA’s inquiry has resulted in the identification of 19 safety and health violations, with 17 of them classified as serious.
Hazardous Working Conditions
OSHA’s investigation revealed that the company had exposed its workers to various hazards. Notably, they had not provided adequate training on safety and emergency response procedures. Additionally, the plant was found to be in non-compliance with federal standards regarding the use of personal protective equipment.
Ultium Cells’ Response
Ultium Cells responded to the proposed fines by emphasizing its commitment to safety. The company has requested a hearing with OSHA as the next step in addressing these issues.
Addressing Safety Concerns
OSHA also issued a hazard alert letter to the company, requesting voluntary actions to reduce accumulations of metal dust and enhance employee protection against unsafe metal dust exposure. OSHA’s focus is on ensuring workplace safety, prioritizing the well-being of the company’s employees, according to OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts in Cleveland.
United Auto Workers’ Perspective
Shawn Fain, the President of United Auto Workers, expressed concerns about the safety of high-risk, high-skill operations in electric vehicle (EV) battery production like those at Ultium. Fain highlighted the significance of compensating such workers appropriately.
OSHA’s Recommendations
In its findings, OSHA recommended that Ultium Cells install necessary machine guarding, provide training for workers in hazardous energy control and emergency response procedures, and implement other essential changes to enhance safety.
Ongoing Concerns and Citations
Notably, Ultium Cells has faced ongoing scrutiny since the Warren, Ohio facility initiated battery cell production in August 2022. According to OSHA, the facility has been cited 11 times due to safety violations, and the agency continues to investigate a range of incidents, including a fire in June and reports of chemical exposure in August due to a pressure gauge failure.
The proposed fines and OSHA’s investigations underscore the need for strict safety measures in the fast-growing EV industry.
