Montana Company Cited for Safety Violations

Federal regulators have cited a Bozeman, Mont., company for overexposing its employees to lead.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Monday its inspectors found 10 serious violations at USA Brass Company Inc.

The agency is proposing a $45,500 fine.

USA Brass produces casings for ammunition manufacturers and individual shooters who load their own ammunition.

The violations cited include failures to determine worker overexposure to lead or have controls to reduce exposure. Agency officials say the company did not provide workers with adequate respiratory protection, protective clothing or train them on lead hazards, among other violations.

USA Brass CEO Zach Flanagan says the inspection happened six months ago and the company has been compliant for several months. He says no workers were sickened by lead exposure.