Cooper Tire to challenge OSHA allegations

TUPELO — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. will challenge allegations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that the company committed safety violations at its plant in Tupelo.

Cooper Tire spokeswoman Michelle Zeisloft tells the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal the company has asked for a hearing with the Occupational Safety Health Review Commission, an agency independent of OSHA.

Last week, OSHA recommended the Findlay, Ohio-based tire maker, along with two of its maintenance contractors, pay a $254,900 fine for 25 violations.

The Tupelo plant was cited following an inspection at Cooper Tire’s Findlay plant, which was fined $213,500 for allegedly committing similar violations.

OSHA said the citations include allegations of exposing workers to hazards associated with combustible dust.

JESCO Maintenance Corp. and IH Services, maintenance contractors, were the other companies cited.

Source: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal