A Gainesville concrete producer faces more than $120,000 in proposed fines for various safety and health violations, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Candler Concrete Products Inc. was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 19 violations following an inspection at the company's plant, the release said.

OSHA spokesman Mike Wald described the violations as "a significant case."

"Anything over $100,000 is significant," he said. The total proposed penalties amount to $120,370.

Representatives of Candler Concrete Products declined to comment on the violations but did say they are "working on it."

The most significant violation found by OHSA's inspection was company employees performing maintenance on vehicles and equipment within 3 feet of an open and unguarded pit.

The penalty for that violation alone amounts to $48,400, and Wald said the company was aware of the violation but didn't take action.

"That's voluntary disregard of the requirement," he said. "That's the strongest we can put it."

Wald said the company had previously been cited for several violations stemming from a March 2008 inspection but failed to correct the problems.

"We've told the company we've found the problems, and here we are back again," Wald said. "That's frustrating for us."

Of those repeat violations, Candler Concrete was also cited for failing to remove equipment blocking an exit route and various violations related to correctly marking exit doors.

Other repeat violations include failing to keep a clean and orderly work site, failing to post an annual summary of its injuries and illnesses for 2010 and failing to label and identify the contents of a drum containing hazardous chemicals.

"An employer's commitment to workers' safety and health must go beyond policies and involve taking real actions that prevent injuries and illnesses," said William Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area office.

"Management cannot be complacent about eliminating the workplace hazards that OSHA has found here," he added.

The company has 15 business days from the date it was notified of the violations to comply or contest OSHA's findings.