Under a settlement agreement with federal labor officials, Georgia-based carpet manufacturer Mohawk Industries Inc. will increase fire protection at its four carpet pad facilities, including one in Tifton.

The agreement resolves citations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration in June 2011. Those citations followed an investigation at the company's Johnstown, Ohio, facility.

OSHA cited the company with four serious violations involving dust, unguarded floors and electrical hazards. Two lesser violations cited had to do with inadequate hazard communications.

Mohawk's other "rebond" facilities are found in Commerce, Texas; Torrington, Conn.; and Tifton. The facilities manufacture carpet pads by grinding, mixing and rebonding recycled polymer foam materials, a process that can involve explosion hazards.

Mohawk is based in Calhoun, Ga., and employs more than 25,000 workers globally.

Tags: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, Mohawk Industries, settlement, workplace safety