|
|
| OSHA CITATIONS 2001 | CLICK
HERE for Regions Map and Offices Note: Texas is in Region 6 . |
| Here is an ongoing directory of OSHA citations from the OSHA.gov website. Citations most recently announced are at the top. To search for specific key words or topics (i.e. lockout, ppe, fall protection, carbon monoxide, Texas, Houston), use your browser's search features. For Internet Explorer or Netscape, look top left of screen, click Edit and then Find in Page / Find on This Page; or press the Control Key and F Key at the same time. Note: This long file contains all of OSHA's press releases this year about inspections. It may take longer than normal to download. | |
| __________________________________ JULY 2001 |
| Region 1 News Release: BOS 2001-116 Tuesday, July 24, 2001 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: 617-565-2074 OSHA CITES NORWELL, MASS., CONTRACTOR FOLLOWING PLYMOUTH, MASS., CHEMICAL FIRE WHICH HOSPITALIZED WORKERS BOSTON - The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited W. J. Murphy Construction Company, Inc., of Norwell, Mass., for nine alleged serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and proposed $23,800 in fines against the contractor following a February 5, 2001, chemical fire at a Plymouth, Mass., worksite which sent three workers and four firefighters to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. The fire occurred during the demolition of a former computer diskette manufacturing plant at 40 Grissom Road in Plymouth. Murphy Construction employees were cutting pipes which formerly carried the flammable chemicals toluene, cyclohexanone and methyl ethyl ketone solvent, when residual amounts of the toluene and cyclohexanone contained in the pipes spilled onto the concrete floor and were ignited by sparks from the workers' cutting tools. "OSHA's inspection found that Murphy Construction failed to purge, ventilate and test the pipes prior to cutting, did not instruct employees in the hazards associated with the chemicals and the pipe cutting, lacked written hazard communication information about the chemicals and failed to provide the workers with protective clothing and gloves, face shields and respiratory protection," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. "This employer should not have assumed that these pipes were devoid of flammable chemicals," said Gordon. "The proper procedure would have been to test and purge the pipes before cutting, as well as properly train workers to recognize and address the hazards posed by flammable chemicals. Proper training and preparation are key workplace safety elements; had they been provided, this incident might have been avoided." The workers were also exposed to fire hazards stemming from failure to adequately train them in fire extinguisher use, unmaintained fire extinguishers and the lack of an effective written fire protection program. The inspection also identified fall hazards of more than 14 feet, electrocution hazards from the use of ungrounded power tools, tripping hazards from unguarded floor holes, and vehicular hazards from workers not being trained in the safe operation of forklifts. W.J. Murphy Construction Company, Inc. has 15 working days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to either elect to comply with them, to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Gordon urged southeastern Massachusetts employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards to contact the OSHA area office in Braintree at 617-565-6924 and added that OSHA's toll-free, nationwide hotline -- 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742) -- may be used to report workplace accidents or fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, especially if they occur outside of normal business hours. Additional information on OSHA standards may be found on the Internet at the agency's website: www.osha.gov. OSHA defines a serious violation as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. OSHA is empowered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to issue standards and rules requiring employers to provide their employees with safe and healthful workplaces and jobsites, and to assure through workplace inspections that those standards are followed. |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-122 Tues., July 24, 2001 Contact: Lana Graves Phone: (334) 441-6131 OSHA CITES ALABAMA PLANT FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS; PROPOSES $263,500 IN PENALTIES. MOUNDVILLE, Ala. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today concurrently issued citations and signed a settlement agreement with Lawter International, Inc. The employer agreed to accept 20 unclassified violations of OSHA standards with assessed fines totaling $263,500. The settlement follows an OSHA inspection of Lawter International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastman Chemical Company, which began Jan. 24 after a complaint from a contract employee that he was exposed to releases of hazardous boron trifluoride (BF3) while working in the Moundville hydrocarbon plant. OSHA's inspection confirmed that employees were being exposed to BF3 releases at a scrubber for aging tanks, a problem which dated back to 1998. Employees were also exposed to BF3 releases at other locations throughout the plant. Other violations of OSHA's standard for process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals included failure to follow procedures required for chemical process changes -- in this case, when the company added a piece of equipment to the hydrocarbon process -- and failure to make necessary corrections noted during a 1995 process hazard analysis and an internal process safety management audit conducted in 1998. The inspection also found that employees engaged in emergency response had not received mandatory training for response to hazardous waste spills, and there was no program for handling small releases of hazardous waste. In addition, workers were not provided proper respiratory protection when working in areas where they could be exposed to BF3, or for emergency escape from releases hazardous waste. "This employer allowed hazardous conditions to go uncorrected and BF3 releases to persist," said Lana Graves, OSHA's Mobile area director. "Following our inspection, however, we were able to work with Lawter and Eastman Chemicals to identify ways to enhance the company's safety and health programs. Management's commitment extended beyond abatement of the noted hazards to a genuine effort to address employee concerns." As part of the settlement, Lawter agreed to:
OSHA also cited two contractors working on-site during the plant inspection and fined |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-121 07/19/01 Contact: William A. Burke Phone: (205) 731-1534 OSHA CITES ALABAMA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AND PROPOSES OVER $85,000 IN PENALTIES WALNUT GROVE, Ala. - The Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today cited Clark Construction Company, Inc., for alleged serious and willful safety violations with proposed penalties totaling $85,400 following the investigation of a Feb. 2 fatal accident at a Thompson Bridge Road construction site. On the day of the fatality, four of the bridge construction company employees were removing a 21-foot section from an 80-foot link-belt crane boom. As one employee -- standing underneath the crane -- pounded out a pin, the boom collapsed and fell on him. The company was issued a willful citation with a proposed penalty of $63,000 for not properly supporting the crane, which was about six feet off the ground. "Had this employer followed the manufacturer's instructions and OSHA regulations regarding the dismantling of the crane, this fatality would have been avoided," said William A. Burke, OSHA's Birmingham acting area director. OSHA also cited the company for two alleged serious safety violations with proposed penalties totaling $11,200 for failing to inspect the crane each day prior to its use to assure that it was in safe operating condition, and for failing to properly train employees to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions. The company received an additional $11,200 proposed penalty for a repeat violation: failing to barricade the accessible rear-swing-radius area of the crane cab so employees could not enter that space and risk being crushed as the cab turned. In 1999, OSHA cited the company for a similar violation and that citation became a final order of the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The Headland, Ala.-based company has 15 work days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Birmingham, Ala., office located at Todd Mall, 2047 Canyon Rd.; phone: (205) 731-1534. |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-120 Wed., July 18, 2001 Contact: Lana Graves Phone: (334) 441-6131 OSHA CITATIONS AGAINST CAROLINA STEEL FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS AT MONTGOMERY PLANT RESULT IN PROPOSED PENALTY OF $55,775 MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Carolina Steel Corporation on June 29 and proposed a $55,775 penalty for alleged safety violations at the company's Montgomery, Ala., plant. Following a planned inspection of the facility, OSHA cited Carolina Steel for 23 alleged serious violations of safety standards, including:
"OSHA encourages companies to be proactive in their approach to safety and health. |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-119 Mon., July 16, 2001 Contact: James Borders Phone: (912) 652-4393 OSHA CITES COMPANY AFTER TREE TRIMMING FATALITY Oak Hill, Fla. – The Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Asplundh Tree Expert Co. for eight serious safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $41,000 following the investigation of a Jan. 30 fatal accident at an Oak Hill job site. The accident occurred when one of a three-member work crew removing tree branches climbed into an aerial lift and began operating the controls. The worker – not facing the direction of the lift – was electrocuted when he came in contact with overhead power lines. OSHA cited the company for: permitting unauthorized employees to operate aerial lifts; failing to have a designated employee observe an aerial lift and give timely warning before the lift gets too close to power lines, and failing to provide proper safety training to employees. OSHA defines a serious violation as one in which there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. "Nationwide, this company has been inspected 200 times in the past ten years, 43 times because of accidents," James Borders, OSHA's Jacksonville area director said. "Too many workers in Florida are being injured and killed because of unsafe work practices that are easily corrected." In 2000, in order to address the high number of fatalities in the state related to contact with energized overhead power lines, OSHA launched a Local Emphasis Program (LEP). The program follows extensive outreach activities with an equally extensive inspection and enforcement effort. Jupiter, Fla.-based Asplundh Tree Expert Co. had 27 workers at this job site and employs 21,000 nationwide. The company has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-118 Wed., July 11, 2001 Contact: Roberto Sanchez Phone: (912) 652-4393 OSHA CITES FITZGERALD, GA., COMPANY AND PROPOSES $116,000 IN PENALTIES FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS ATLANTA – The Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today cited Delphi Automotive Systems and proposed $116,000 in penalties for safety and health violations found during an abatement verification inspection at the company's Fitzgerald, Ga., facility. OSHA had initially inspected the plant on March 22, 2000, after complaints about working conditions at the battery manufacturing plant were filed with the agency. The company was cited at that time for failing to properly protect workers from over-exposure to lead. Today the company was cited for three repeat violations with proposed penalties totaling $85,000 for failing to: provide employees with proper respiratory protection; properly store lead-contaminated clothing, and keep lead dust from accumulating within the plant. Repeat violations occur when an employer has been cited previously for a substantially similar condition and the citation has become a final order of the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The agency also issued seven serious citations with proposed penalties totaling $31,000 for unguarded floor openings, unguarded robotic machines; improperly maintained respirators and for not having "lockout/tagout" procedures in place that would make machines inoperable during maintenance and repair work. OSHA defines a serious violation as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. "The company is working with us to correct these hazardous conditions," said Teresa Harrison, OSHA's Savannah area director. "Hopefully, this cooperative spirit will translate into continued proactive measures to ensure worker safety and health." The company, which employs 20,000 workers company-wide, has 15 working days to contest OSHA's citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Lawrenceville, Ga.-based All Walls has 15 working days to contest OSHA's citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-117 Wed., July 11, 2001 Contact: Les Grove Phone: (813) 626-1177 CONTRACTOR FINED $122,850 FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS AT SARASOTA CONSTRUCTION SITE SARASOTA, Fla. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today cited All Walls Construction, Inc., and proposed $122,850 in penalties for willful and serious scaffold safety violations at a Sarasota, Fla., construction site. All Walls had been hired to perform stucco work at the site. Following a safety inspection initiated in January, OSHA fined All Walls $98,000 for two willful safety violations -- allowing scaffolds to be erected, dismantled and altered without supervision by a qualified, competent person and failing to provide required training about scaffold hazards. "Company managers knew no competent person was on-site to supervise erection and dismantling of scaffolding but made a conscious decision to allow the work to proceed," said Les Grove, OSHA's acting area director, Tampa. OSHA issues willful citations when there is intentional disregard of safety standards and regulations. Both North Carolina and South Carolina state agencies inspected All Walls in 1998 and issued citations for the same violations found in Sarasota. In addition, the general contractor on the job site advised the sub-contractor to abate the scaffold-related hazards on several occasions. OSHA proposed additional penalties totaling $24,850 for seven serious scaffolding violations, including unsafe working decks, a hazardous scaffold walkway, no safe means of access to the scaffold, absence of guardrails, and lack of worker protection from objects falling from the scaffold. Serious citations are issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. Lawrenceville, Ga.-based All Walls has 15 working days to contest OSHA's citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 6 News Release: OSHA-01-81 July 10, 2001 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 OSHA PROPOSES $63,000 IN PENALTIES AGAINST APPLE FABRICATION INC., DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS, FOR ALLEGED SAFETY VIOLATIONS DALLAS-The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Apple Fabrication Inc., in Duncanville, Texas, with four alleged violations and a penalty totaling $63,000 for exposing employees to atmospheric hazards. The alleged violations were discovered during an OSHA investigation that began on Jan. 9, 2001, in response to a fatality. The employee was killed after being overcome by trichloroethylene vapors while working inside a steel rinse tank. The employer was cited with two willful and two serious violations. The alleged willful violations included failure to implement the confined space entry procedures. Employees who enter and work inside rinse tanks must follow a precise series of steps to control hazardous conditions before entry. The employer also allegedly did not perform air monitoring or require employees to wear respirators. A willful violation is defined as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The two serious violations were for not having an attendant present when employees entered into the steel rinse tanks and for not implementing procedures for summoning rescue. A serious violation is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from the violation. "The employer, knowing the hazards associated with the chemicals used during the tank lining operations, repeatedly allowed the employees to work inside these steel rinse tanks without using any safety procedures or equipment," said Kathryn Delaney, Dallas OSHA area director. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call the nearest OSHA office. OSHA's toll-free hotline may be used to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers. The number is 1-800-321-6742. Apple Fabrication has 15 working days from the receipt of the citations, to either comply request an informal conference with the Dallas OSHA area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
__________________________________ JUNE 2001
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-94 Thurs., June 14, 2001 Contact: Bill Grimes PHONE: (770) 493-5405 OSHA CITES NORCROSS, GA., MANUFACTURER FOR SERIOUS SAFETY VIOLATIONS AND PROPOSES $61,650 IN PENALTIES ATLANTA -- The Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Atlanta Cap Manufacturing, Inc., and proposed penalties totaling $61,650 following the investigation of a fatal accident at its Norcross plant. The accident occurred on Dec. 28, 2000, when seven employees positioned themselves in front of a two-fork pallet with a hand-powered jack handle and began moving a 5,500 pound machine. As they guided the equipment down a ramp, the wheels of the pallet caught on a crack in the concrete floor. The machine shifted and toppled forward off the pallet. Six employees were able to escape, but the seventh was crushed as the machine fell. "If the employees had used a forklift and properly secured the machine, this tragic accident could have been avoided," said William Grimes, acting area director for OSHA's Atlanta-East office. "While investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident, the investigator observed other serious safety violations and was authorized to do a complete inspection of the baseball cap manufacturing plant," he added. Along with citing the company for not using appropriate moving equipment and for not properly securing the load to be moved, OSHA issued an additional 17 serious citations. Violations included failing to have:
The agency found unguarded machinery, blocked aisle ways, and exit signs placed above |
|
|
| Region 3 News Release: III-01-08-050-NEP Fri., June 8, 2001 Contact: Kate Dugan OFFICE: (215) 861-5101 After Hours: (610) 522-9484 OSHA ISSUES SAFETY AND HEALTH CITATIONS TO MIFFLINBURG, PA COMPANY AFTER WORKER FATALITY WILKES-BARRE, Pa.-The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations to Ritz-Craft Corporation of Pennsylvania, Inc., Mifflinburg, Pa., for alleged violations of safety and health standards, and proposed $64,500 in penalties. The inspection was initiated on Dec. 6, 2000 when an employee died after the fork lift he was operating tipped over. The company manufactures modular homes. According to Andrew Hedesh, area director of the Wilkes-Barre OSHA office, five repeat violations, with a proposed penalty of $45,000, were issued along with six serious violations, which carry a penalty of $19,500. "The serious violations include the lack of a restraint system or seat belt on the fork lift," said Hedesh. "The operator's death may have been prevented if a system had been installed." The other serious violations issued include: a forklift operator trainee assigned to operate a forklift without supervision; employees required to work under suspended floor sections; restricted egress; and improper storage of compressed gas tanks. The repeat violations were issued for unguarded machinery; lack of guardrails on catwalks and platforms; failure to develop and utilize lockout procedures for control of hazardous energy; lack of periodic inspections to assure that lockout/tagout procedures are being performed. Serious violations involve a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. Repeat violations occur when an employer has been cited previously for a substantially similar condition and the citations have become final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to decide to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by the Wilkes-Barre OSHA office, The Stegmaier Bldg., Suite 410, 7 North Wilkes-Barre Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18702, telephone (570) 826-6538. |
|
|
|
Region 1 News Release: BOS 2001-077
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
__________________________________ MAY 2001 .
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-82 Thurs., May 24, 2001 Contact: Luis Santiago PHONE: (954) 424-0242 OSHA FINES MEDLEY, FLA., FIRM $92,650 FOLLOWING FATAL ACCIDENT ATLANTA -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Trusscorp International Inc. and proposed penalties totaling $92,650 following a fatal accident at the company's Medley, Fla., plant. OSHA inspectors found evidence that the November fatality occurred when an employee checking oil in a lift truck started the engine while standing outside the vehicle. The worker died of injuries sustained when the forklift rolled over him crushing his lower torso. OSHA cited one willful violation for failure to train employees about safe operation of forklifts. Two additional hazards were cited as serious -- not withdrawing a defective forklift from service and failing to examine the trucks before putting them in service. Luis Santiago, OSHA's Ft. Lauderdale area director, said, "Although there were no witnesses to the accident, the evidence indicated that the forklift's parking brake was faulty and the gear appeared to be in reverse before the engine was started." A comprehensive inspection that grew out of the initial response to the accident revealed 13 additional serious violations. These included machine guarding violations, electrical hazards, and lack of personal protective equipment and eye protection. "If the employer in this case had inspected forklifts and removed damaged or faulty equipment from service, this tragic accident could have been avoided," said Santiago. "OSHA cites a willful violation, as in this case, when an employer exhibits intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations." The area director explained that a serious violation is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. Trusscorp International employs 30 workers at the Medley facility to manufacture roof trusses. The company has 15 working days to contest OSHA's citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Inspections of the Trusscorp plant were conducted by OSHA's area office located at Jacaranda Executive Court, 8040 Peters Rd., Building H-100, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 33324; telephone: (954) 424-0242. |
|
|
| Granite State employers reminded of "all too common" hazard OSHA CITES THREE CONTRACTORS FOR INADEQUATE CAVE-IN PROTECTION FOR WORKERS AT JOBSITES IN MANCHESTER, PORTSMOUTH AND EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE; NEARLY $66,000 IN FINES PROPOSED BOSTON -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited three contractors from Maine and New Hampshire for alleged willful violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act for failing to provide adequate cave-in protection for employees working in excavations at jobsites in Portsmouth, Manchester and Exeter, NH. Combined penalties totaling $65,900 have been proposed against the three employers. Cited were:
"These citations reflect an all too common construction safety hazard," said David May, |
|
|
| Region 1 News Release: BOS 2001-062 Monday, May 21, 2001 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 Maximum fines of $77,000 proposed against Green Mountain Steel Erectors OSHA CITES BENNINGTON, VERMONT, CONTRACTOR FOR ALLEGED WILLFUL AND SERIOUS VIOLATIONS AT DEVENS, MASS., JOBSITE BOSTON -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Green Mountain Steel Erectors, Inc., a Bennington, Vermont, steel erection contractor, for alleged willful and serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act at a Devens, Mass., jobsite. OSHA has proposed $77,000 in fines -- the maximum penalty allowed -- against the firm for lack of fall protection for employees working in aerial lifts more than 25 feet above the ground. The inspection was initiated when an OSHA inspector driving by a construction site at Jackson and Givray Street in Devens observed employees working in aerial lifts without proper fall protection and opened an inspection on the spot, said Richard Fazzio, OSHA area director for Northeastern Massachusetts. "The inspection found employees, including supervisors, working without fall protection in three aerial lifts at heights in excess of 25 feet above the ground," said Fazzio. "In each case, employees had required body harnesses and safety lanyards available but either were not using them or were using them improperly. In addition, one employee was observed standing on the middle rail of a lift basket during steel erection procedures, in plain view of a foreman. These conditions exposed workers to potentially fatal falls." Fazzio explained that falls are a leading cause of worker deaths in construction and that about 253 American workers died in construction related falls in 1999, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. "The best safety equipment in the world won't protect workers if it isn't used, and used properly," said Fazzio. "Even though this employer knew that OSHA standards require that employees working in aerial lifts have body belts and lanyards that are attached to the boom or basket and that employees do not stand on or work from the basket's siderails, these simple, clear, commonsense safeguards were disregarded." Fazzio urged employers and employees in Northeastern Massachusetts with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards to contact the OSHA area office in Methuen at 617-565-8110. He said OSHA's toll-free, nationwide hotline -- 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742) -- may be used to report workplace accidents or fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, especially if they occur outside of normal business hours. Detailed information on construction safety, including fall protection, is available on the Internet through OSHA's website: www.osha.gov. A willful violation is defined by OSHA as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. The maximum fine that can be proposed for a willful violation is $70,000. A serious violation is defined as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. The maximum fine that can be proposed for a serious violation is $7,000. OSHA is empowered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to issue standards and rules requiring employers to provide their employees with safe and healthful workplaces and jobsites, and to assure through workplace inspections that those standards are followed. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to either elect to comply with them, to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 2 News Release: NY 139 May 17, 2001 Contact: Chester J. Fultz PHONE: 212-337-2319 WORKERS IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, ILLEGALLY DISCIPLINED FOR FILING SAFETY COMPLAINTS, AIDED BY OSHA NEW YORK -- Twenty-two workers in New York and New Jersey who reported workplace hazards and were discharged or otherwise penalized as a result reached settlements with their employers in fiscal year 2000 (Sept. 30, 1999 to Oct. 1, 2000), according to a report issued today by the U. S. Labor Department of Labor. Under the terms of settlement agreements reached between employers and the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration the 22 workers received a total of $124,699 in back wages. Other remedies included reinstatement, informal negotiated settlements between the complainants and their employers, and the requirement that employers display posters on the rights of employees. The companies were cited for violating OSHA regulations that prohibit discharging or otherwise discriminating against any employee because he or she has filed a complaint or reported unsafe working conditions. The damage amounts represent wages lost from the date of discharge until the date of settlement. According to Patricia K. Clark, OSHA regional administrator, OSHA's emphasis was on timely help for the employee. "The great majority of these cases were resolved quickly -- many in less than a month. The intent of OSHA's whistleblower regulations is that workers must not be penalized for doing the right thing and speaking out about workplace safety hazards." Workers who have been discriminated against for exercising their right to report unsafe conditions or other protections provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Act must contact an OSHA office within 30 days of the time they learn of an alleged discriminatory action taken against them. Truckers, mechanics, and others involved in interstate trucking have 180 days under provisions of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act. If the complaint is timely and appears to have merit, OSHA investigates it, ordering reinstatement or other remedies if an investigation confirms the allegations. Under the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, either party can file an objection to OSHA's findings. The matter is then decided by an administrative law judge; a final order is issued by the Secretary of Labor. CLICK HERE for a summary of settlements reached in fiscal year 2000. |
|
|
| Region 6 News Release: USDL-OSHA-01-48-05-15 Tues., May 15, 2001 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 OSHA CITES AMTOPP CORP. IN LOLITA, TEXAS, FOR ALLEGED SAFETY VIOLATIONS; PROPOSES $140,000 IN PENALTIES DALLAS - The Corpus Christi area office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Amtopp Corp., in Lolita, Texas, with two alleged safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $140,000, the U.S. Department of Labor announced. Amtopp Corp. manufactures plastic film and employs about 400 workers. OSHA discovered the alleged violations during an inspection that began Nov. 30, 2000, after receiving a formal complaint. The company was cited with one willful and one repeat violation. The one willful violation was for failing to provide a standard railing on open-sided floors exposing employees to a fall hazard. In addition, the investigation found that the access platform to the inspection station had been altered by the employer and guardrails were not provided on all open sides. A willful violation is defined as one that is committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety & Health Act and regulations. The repeat violation was for not providing machine guarding to protect operator and other employees from hazards created by the rotating parts, pinch points and points of operation. A repeat violation is defined as a violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order where, upon reinspection, a substantially similar violation is found. Employers or workers who have questions concerning safety and health may contact the OSHA Corpus Christi area office at (361) 888-3420. Or, call OSHA's toll free hotline number at 1-800-321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers. Amtopp has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the Corpus Christi OSHA area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 1 News Release: BOS 2001-059 Tuesday, May 15, 2001 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 Over $62,000 in Fines Proposed against Access TCA, Inc. OSHA CITES WHITINSVILLE, MASS., MANUFACTURER FOR ALLEGED WILLFUL, REPEAT AND SERIOUS SAFETY VIOLATIONS FOLLOWING WORKER INJURY BOSTON - The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Access TCA, Inc., a Whitinsville, Mass., manufacturer of trade show exhibits, for alleged willful, repeat and serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act following an April 11 accident in which an employee suffered severe hand injuries while operating an unguarded table saw. OSHA has proposed penalties totaling $62,060 against the employer. "OSHA's inspection found that the required guard hood that protects operators from the saw's points of operation was not installed at the time of the accident, thus exposing the injured worker and any other operator to the dangers of lacerations and amputation," said Ronald E. Morin, OSHA area director for central and western Massachusetts, who noted that the inspection also found a second unguarded table saw in another section of the plant. In addition, Morin noted, the inspection also identified several other hazards involving respirators, ventilation, hazardous energy control, hazard communication and electrical equipment. Access TCA, Inc. had been cited by OSHA in March 2000 for substantially similar hazards at its Duluth, Georgia, plant. "Left uncorrected, these various hazards exposed workers at this plant to the dangers of the unexpected startup of machinery, inadequate ventilation, inadequate respirator selection and exposure to flammable vapors, combustible residue, thinner, laquer, plastic and wood dusts, paints, fast drying cement and carbon monoxide," said Morin (A breakdown of the citations and proposed penalties is attached). Morin urged central and western Massachusetts employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards to contact the OSHA area office in Springfield at 413-785-0123 and added that OSHA's toll-free, nationwide hotline -- 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742) -- may be used to report workplace accidents or fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, especially if they occur outside of normal business hours. He also noted that detailed information about OSHA standards and safe work practices are available via the Internet through OSHA's website: www.osha.gov. A willful violation is defined by OSHA as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. A repeat citation is issued when OSHA has previously cited an employer for a substantially similar violation and that citation has become final. A serious violation is defined as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. An other-than-serious violation is a condition which would probably not cause death or serious physical harm but would have a direct and immediate relationship to the safety and health of employees. OSHA is empowered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to issue standards and rules requiring employers to provide their employees with safe and healthful workplaces and jobsites, and to assure through workplace inspections that those standards are followed. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to either elect to comply with them, to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 6 News Release: USDL-OSHA-01-49-05-15 Tues., May 15, 2001 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 OSHA CITES MARTIN RESOURCES, INC. IN PLAINVIEW, TEXAS, FOR ALLEGED SAFETY VIOLATIONS AND PROPOSES $110,488 IN PENALTIES DALLAS-The Lubbock area office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Martin Resources, Inc., in Plainview, Texas, with 34 alleged safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $110,488. Martin Resources, Inc., produces ammonia sulfate and homogeneous fertilizer at the company's Plainview plant that employs about 38 workers. The parent company, Martin Resources Management in Kilgore, Texas, employs about 600 workers The alleged safety violations were discovered during an OSHA inspection that began Nov. 30, 2000. The company was cited for 32 serious and two other-than-serious violations. Some of the 32 serious citations include failing to establish an audible employee alarm system, failing to label piping to show contents and flow direction, failing to provide refresher training every three years, lack of verification that employees had received and understood training, failing to implement the written procedure for mechanical integrity of process equipment and failing to correct/replace deficient process equipment like pressure and temperature gauges. A serious violation is defined as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. The two other-than-serious violations were for improper respirator storage and inadequate protection of a spliced flexible cord. An other-than-serious violation is a hazardous condition that would probably not cause death or serious physical harm, but would have a direct and immediate relationship to the safety and or health of the employees. Employers or workers who have questions concerning safety and health may contact the OSHA Lubbock area office at (806) 472-7681. Or, call OSHA's toll free hotline number at 1-800-321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers. Martin Resources has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to either comply, request an informal conference with the Lubbock OSHA area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 2 News Release: NY 138 May 10, 2001 Contact: Chester J. Fultz Phone: 212-337-2319 ALDEN, NEW YORK, NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT MAKER CITED BY OSHA FOR FAILING TO ABATE ALLEGED SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARDS; $146,000 IN PENALTIES PROPOSED NEW YORK - The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Federal Laboratories Corporation, of 1135 Walden Avenue, Alden, New York, and proposed penalties of $146,000 against the firm for ten alleged failures to abate previously cited violations plus five new alleged serious violations of OSHA standards. The company has until May 29 to contest the citations. The action results from a follow-up investigation initiated November 8 because OSHA never received any response to citations issued to the firm in June, 2000, according to OSHA area director David Boyce. The company produces powdered shark cartilage, caffeine, and other powdered nutrients and employs 12 workers. OSHA issued the following failure-to-abate notices:
A failure to abate is a notice of additional penalty issued against an employer who has
A serious violation is defined as a condition which exists where there is a substantial |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-75 Wed., May 09, 2001 Contact: James Borders Phone: (904) 232-2895 EXT. 0 OSHA FINES CROWN PRODUCTS $142,000 FOLLOWING ACCIDENT AT JACKSONVILLE PLANT ATLANTA -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today cited Crown Products Company, Inc., and proposed fines totaling $142,000 after a Nov. 20, 2000 accident at one of the company's two Jacksonville, Fla., facilities. OSHA began a comprehensive inspection of the New Kings Rd. plant after a mechanical power press started up while an employee was trying to unjam it. The machine severed three of the employee's fingers and crushed his arm, which was later amputated. The agency fined Crown Products $70,000 for one willful violation for failing to fit the mechanical power press with a guard to protect workers from amputation hazards. A willful citation is issued in cases where OSHA finds an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. James Borders, OSHA's Jacksonville area director explained that a change in production required replacement of a press machine die to which a physical barrier guard had been bolted. "This employer knew that the new, smaller die was unguarded, yet instructed employees to operate the press," said Borders. "Taking the time to follow OSHA regulations by fitting the replacement part with a guard could have prevented this tragic accident." Among nine serious violations cited by OSHA were numerous deficiencies in machine guarding and lack of lockout procedures to render machinery inoperable during maintenance and repair, both of which placed employees at risk of amputations. The company also had no regular power press safety inspection program and no weekly inspections of the mechanical condition of the presses. The serious citations -- defined as those in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard -- drew proposed penalties of $37,000. The remaining fines of $35,000 were proposed for three repeat violations. These addressed the absence of guards to prevent entry of hands or fingers into the point of operation of the presses and to prevent employee contact with rotating flywheels. The pulleys and drive belts on the band saw were also unguarded. The company was cited for similar violations after a May 1998 inspection of the Phillips Highway plant. Crown Products Company, Inc., a sheet metal fabricator, employs approximately 251 workers, about 33 of whom are assigned to the New Kings Rd. plant. The company has 15 working days to contest OSHA's citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Inspection of the worksite was conducted by OSHA's area office located at the Ribault Building, Room 227, 1851 Executive Center Dr., Jacksonville, Fla. 32207: telephone: (904) 232-2895. |
|
|
| Region 2 News Release: NY 137 May 8, 2001 Contact: Chester J. Fultz Phone: 212-337-2319 NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, ELECTRIC POWER FIRM CITED BY OSHA FOR ALLEGED WILLFUL SAFETY VIOLATIONS; $126,000 IN PENALTIES PROPOSED NEW YORK -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited C.H. Resources, 5300 Frontier Road, Niagara Falls New York, and proposed penalties of $126,000 against the firm for two alleged willful violations of OSHA standards. The company has until May 25 to contest the citations. The action results from an investigation following an accident on November 16 in which an employee was seriously injured when he fell about 16 feet from an unguarded platform, according to OSHA area director David Boyce. The firm, a subsidiary of Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, operates a coal-fired electrical co-generation facility employing about 1,200 workers. OSHA alleges that the company willfully violated OSHA's fall protection standard by failing to provide fall protection on a platform higher than six feet and failing to provide a ladder or the equivalent, which is required whenever there is a break in elevation greater than 19 inches. Each willful violation carries a proposed penalty of $63,000. A willful violation is defined by OSHA as one committed with an intentional disregard for, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the OSHA act and regulations. "OSHA is committed to stringent enforcement in those workplaces where employers willfully violate OSHA standards," Boyce said. "It is important for employers to know that in cases such as this, we will take aggressive enforcement action so that others are put on notice that disregard for employee safety and health is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated." The investigation was conducted by OSHA's Buffalo area office, located at 5360 Genesee Street, Bowmansville, New York, telephone (716) 684-3891. |
|
|
| Region 5 News Release: V-385 May 3, 2001 Contact: Kimberly A. Stille Phone: 608-441-5388 Proposed Penalties: $104,000 OSHA ISSUES CITATIONS TO FUTURE FOAM INC. IN MIDDLETON, WIS. CHICAGO-The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations alleging six serious violations and two repeat violations to Future Foam Inc. in Middleton, Wis., with proposed penalties of $104,000. A safety and health inspection was initiated at the worksite on November 15, 2000, after workers were reportedly exposed to methylene chloride and TDI (toluene-2,4-diisocyanate) in excess of OSHA's permissible exposure limits. The alleged repeat violations identified one employee overexposure to methylene chloride. The company was cited for employee overexposure to methylene chloride following an OSHA inspection in July 1999. The alleged serious violations addressed employee overexposures to TDI, fall hazards, lack of specific worksite procedures for respiratory protection, insufficient engineering controls and lack of periodic monitoring of methylene chloride. The worksite has had seven previous OSHA inspections with a total of 17 serious violations. Additionally, Future Foam Inc., has been inspected 27 times since 1974 at worksites in Mississippi, Kansas, Utah, Iowa, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Missouri. OSHA defines a serious violation as a hazardous condition in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. The maximum penalty for a serious violation is $7,000. OSHA defines a repeat violation as one in which the employer has been cited for a substantially similar condition and the citation has become a final order. The maximum penalty for a repeat violation is $70,000. Future Foam Inc. has 72 employees in Middleton where they manufacture polyurethane foam. There are 600 employees company-wide. Future Foam, Inc. has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-70 Wed., May 2, 2001 Contact: Teresa Harrison Phone: (912) 652-4393 OSHA FINES DURANGO-GEORGIA PAPER COMPANY $157,500 FOLLOWING AMPUTATION AT ST. MARYS, GA., MILL Company was cited in August 2000 after similar accident ATLANTA -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Durango-Georgia Paper Co.Thurs., April 26, for the second time in eight months, and proposed penalties totaling $157,500, following a double amputation at the company's St. Marys facility. The agency received a complaint after an employee's arms were caught and amputated in an unguarded paper machine on Nov.1. The worker remained trapped for more than 30 minutes before maintenance workers were able to free him. Last August, OSHA cited Durango after an employee's hand was crushed in a similar accident. OSHA is proposing two willful violations with penalties of $140,000 for machine guarding and "lock-out/tag-out" hazards, according to Teresa Harrison, OSHA's Savannah area director. A willful violation is one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. "If the employer had heeded our concerns eight months ago regarding machine guarding and lockout/tagout, this tragic accident could have been avoided," said Harrison. "The company failed to lock out the machine to render it inoperable during maintenance." Additional penalties of $17,500 are being proposed for three serious safety violations: elevated platforms did not have guardrails to keep employees from falling; proper tools were not provided to employees to clean paper machine rollers; and employees were not trained in lockout/tagout procedures to make machinery inoperable during maintenance and repair. OSHA defines a serious violation as one in which there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. The company, a subsidiary of Mexico-based Corporation Durango, has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The earlier citations were contested and are now before the Review Commission. Corporation Durango has approximately 3000 employees, with about 1200 at the St. Marys site. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Savannah area office located at 450 Mall Boulevard, Suite J, Savannah, Ga., 31406; telephone: (912) 652-4393. |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-71 Wed., May 2, 2001 Contact: Teresa Harrison Phone: (912) 652-4393 OSHA AGAIN CITES DUBLIN, GA., CONSTRUCTION COMPANY; PROPOSES $68,600 IN PENALTIES ATLANTA -- The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Dublin Construction Co. Thurs., April 26, for failure to protect workers from fall hazards, just three months after the company was cited for similar violations. During a March 28 inspection, OSHA observed workers without safety harnesses installing plastic sheeting near an unguarded roof edge more than 29 feet from the ground. The agency cited Dublin Construction for a willful violation -- one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act -- and proposed a $63,000 penalty. "Safety equipment was stored at the job site," said Teresa Harrison, OSHA's Savannah area director, "but management officials wanted the sheeting installed quickly -- before rain could damage expensive drywall. And guardrails, another form of protection, had been removed from the roof edges so stucco could be applied to the side of the building." A willful citation was issued, according to Harrison, because "officals knowingly exposed employees to fall hazards, the same hazards we cited them for in January." OSHA also issued a serious citation with a $5,600 proposed penalty for failing to conduct regular safety inspections of the job site and equipment. A serious violation is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. According to OSHA, falls are a leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry and the numbers have been on the rise in Georgia. "In our last fiscal year, from Oct. 1999 through Sept. 2000, we recorded eight fatal falls in the state's construction industry," said Harrison. "That number jumped to ten in just the first six months of this fiscal year." Dublin Construction Co. has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Savannah area office located at 450 Mall Boulevard, Suite J, Savannah, Ga., 31406; telephone: (912) 652-4393. |
|
|
| Region 1 News Release: BOS 2001-051 Wednesday, May 2, 2001 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 Need for trench safety stressed to Connecticut employers OSHA CITES BRIDGEPORT, CONN., CONTRACTOR FOR ALLEGED WILLFUL AND SERIOUS SAFETY VIOLATIONS AT SHELTON TRENCHING SITE BOSTON -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Complete Construction Company, Inc., of Bridgeport, Connecticut, for alleged Willful and Serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act at a Shelton, Conn., water main installation site and has proposed $38,500 in penalties against the contractor. The violations were discovered during an OSHA inspection initiated April 6, 2001, at trenches located on Cathy Drive near Great Oak Road in Shelton, said Clifford S. Weston, OSHA area director in Bridgeport. "OSHA found that workers were exposed to cave-in and fall hazards while working in or accessing inadequately protected trenches up to 16 feet deep," he said. "In addition, the competent person onsite, the one with knowledge and authority to spot and correct hazards, neither addressed these hazards nor removed workers from exposure to them." "Of particular concern is that, after documenting employees working in an unsafe trench on April 6, the OSHA inspector observed employees in another unsafe trench upon returning to the jobsite four days later," said Weston. Noting the increase in construction and excavation work prompted by warmer weather, Weston reminded Connecticut employers to ensure that excavations 5 or more feet in depth be properly protected against collapse: "Let's not kid ourselves, unprotected trenches can be lethal; their sidewalls can collapse suddenly and with great force, burying workers beneath tons of soil and debris before they have a chance to react or escape," he said. "Forty-four American workers died and scores of others were injured in trench cave-ins in 1999, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The best way to reduce the number of fatalities is to ensure that proper and effective collapse protection is in place and in use before employees enter an excavation." Weston emphasized that excavation safety is a national emphasis program for OSHA. If OSHA compliance officers encounter an excavation in the course of their duties, they will stop and examine it. If hazardous conditions are spotted, an inspection can be opened on the spot with violations resulting in citations and fines. He urged Connecticut employers and employees with questions regarding excavations or other workplace safety and health standards to contact the OSHA area offices in Bridgeport (203-579-5581) or Hartford (860-240-3152) and added that detailed information on excavation safety (including standards, publications, links and a compliance assistance tool) is available on OSHA's website www.osha.gov . Specifically, Complete Construction Company, Inc. was cited for: One alleged willful violation, with a proposed penalty of $35,000, for: -- on two separate days, employees were working in trenches 5 to 6 feet deep and 16 feet deep, respectively, that were unprotected or inadequately protected against cave-ins; Two alleged Serious violations, with $3,500 in penalties proposed, for -- employees exposed to falls of up to 16 feet while accessing a trench; -- where hazardous conditions were visibly obvious, the competent person onsite did not take precautions and corrective actions or remove workers from exposure to the hazards. A willful violation is defined by OSHA as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. A serious violation is defined as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. OSHA is empowered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to issue standards and rules requiring employers to provide their employees with safe and healthful workplaces and jobsites, and to assure through workplace inspections that those standards are followed. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to either elect to comply with them, to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
|
__________________________________ APRIL 2001
. |
| Region 6 News Release: USDL-OSHA-01-40-04-26 Thurs., Apr. 26, 2001 Contact: Diana Petterson Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 OSHA CITES JESSE CRAIG PAINTING CO. INC. IN LOS LUNAS, NEW MEXICO, FOR ALLEGED SAFETY VIOLATIONS; PROPOSES $34,000 IN PENALTIES DALLAS -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Jesse Craig Painting Co. Inc. in Los Lunas, New Mexico, with five alleged safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $34,000, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today. Jesse Craig Painting Co. is a telecommunications tower painting and maintenance company. OSHA discovered the alleged safety violations during an inspection that began Oct. 30, 2000, after an employee was killed and another received serious injuries when they fell while being hoisted up a 500 foot telecommunications tower. The accident occurred about 18 miles east of Pecos, Texas. The company was cited for two willful, two serious and one other-than-serious safety violations. The two willful violations involved failing to use proper safety equipment to hoist workers and failing to use ladder safety devices, cages or other adequate fall protection equipment. Willful violations are defined as those committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety & Health Act and regulations. The two serious violations were for failing to inspect personal protective devices, tools and equipment and failing to inspect safety belts and straps. A serious violation involves conditions in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazardous conditions. The other-than-serious violation involved the lack of a written certification record of training for first aid and respiration training of employees. Other-than-serious violations involve hazardous conditions that would probably not cause death or serious physical harm but would have a direct and immediate relationship to the safety and health of employees. Jesse Craig Painting has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal hearing with OSHA's Lubbock area director, or to contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-64 Wed., April 18, 2001 Contact: Susan Johnston Phone: (404) 984-8700 ext. 0 OSHA CITES ATLANTA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AFTER FATAL FALL ATLANTA -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Atlanta-based Turner Construction Co. April 5 for serious safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $42,000 in connection with the death of a United Rentals employee at a demolition site. As part of the demolition and remodeling of a downtown retail building, a construction crew removed an escalator, creating a floor opening. This unguarded opening was obscured by a tarp installed to control dust. On Jan. 4, a United Rentals employee, on-site to repair equipment, fell 17 feet through the opening. "Construction companies know that floor openings are a common hazard and falls are a leading cause of death in the industry," said Susan Johnston, OSHA's Atlanta-West area director. "This company should have had increased awareness because they were cited previously for this hazard at a New York construction site." OSHA cited the company for one repeat violation with a proposed penalty of $35,000 for the unguarded floor hole. A serious citation drew additional penalties of $7,000 for failure to close off an undesignated access way to the hazardous location. OSHA defines a repeat violation as one where an employer has been cited previously for a substantially similar condition and the citation has become a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. A serious violation is defined as one in which there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. Turner Construction Co. employs approximately 4200 workers and had five at this site. The company has 15 working days from receipt of OSHA's citations to contest them and the proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Inspection of the worksite was conducted by OSHA's Atlanta-West area office located at 2400 Herodian Way, Suite 250, Smyrna, Ga., 30080-2968; telephone: (770) 984-8700. |
|
|
| Region 2 News Release: NY 129 April 17, 2001 Contact: Chester J. Fultz Phone: 212-337-2319 VALLEY COTTAGE, NEW YORK TOFU MANUFACTURER CITED BY OSHA $142,500 IN PENALTIES PROPOSED NEW YORK -- The U. S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Global Protein Foods, Inc., of 707 Executive Blvd, Valley Cottage, NY, and proposed penalties of $142,500 against the firm, alleging three willful, seven serious, and one alleged other-than-serious violation of OSHA standards. The citations result from an inspection of the company's facilities conducted from Oct. 19, 2000, through Jan. 3, 2001, following a complaint of unsafe working conditions, according to Philip Piest, OSHA area director in Tarrytown. OSHA cited the company for three alleged willful violations:
The alleged willful violations carry a total proposed penalty of $132,000.
The alleged serious violations carry a total proposed penalty of $10,500. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
__________________________________ MARCH 2001
. |
| Region 2 News Release: NY 124 March 27, 2001 Contact: Chester J. Fultz Phone: 212-337-2319 WILLIAMSTOWN, NEW YORK, WIRE-MAKING PLANT CITED BY OSHA FOR ALLEGED SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS; $78,000 IN PENALTIES PROPOSED The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Omega Wire, Inc., Route 13, Williamstown, New York, and proposed penalties of $78,000 against the firm for four alleged repeat violations, 16 alleged serious violations, and three alleged other-than-serious violations of OSHA standards. The company has until April 13 to contest the citations. According to OSHA area director Diane Brayden, the action results from an investigation conducted from October 30 through February 23 following an accident at the plant, in which an employee was seriously injured when her hair became entangled in a wire buncher. The alleged serious violations for which the employer was cited included:
The serious violations carry a total proposed penalty of $35,500. |
|
|
.
| Region 3 News Release: USDL: III-01-03-26-022-PGH Mon., Mar. 26, 2001 Contact: Leni Uddyback-Fortson Office: (215) 861-5102 FREEPORT, PA FIRM CITED FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Freeport Brick, Freeport, Pa., for alleged violations of safety and health standards and proposed $180,300 in penalties. The company manufactures clay and high aluminum brick. According to Robert Szymanski, area director of the Pittsburgh OSHA office, the company was issued two willful violations for safety, one willful citation for health (grouped violations), seven repeat violations, 12 serious violations, and eight other-than-serious violations. "The willful safety violations, with a proposed penalty of $84,000, concern the overloading of fork trucks and other fork lift deficiencies which put the employees at considerable risk of injury," said Szymanski. "The willful health violations, with a penalty of $33,000, were for overexposure to silica, lack of a written respirator program, and inadequate engineering controls. The company did not perform medical evaluations, fit testing or respirator training." The repeat violations, with a proposed penalty of $40,200, stem from an inspection in 1998, and include lack of personal protective equipment, poor housekeeping, failure to conduct hazard assessments and forklift and hazard communication training, and an unguarded portable grinder. The serious violations, with a proposed penalty of $23,100, concern open-sided platforms, improper installation of liquid propane gas cylinders, lack of machine guarding and protective shield/barriers, exposed electrical apparatus and lack of safety related electrical training. The other-than-serious violations, which carry no penalty, include unmarked exits, improper storage of compressed gas cylinders, defective ladders and several electrical violations. Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the OSH act. Repeat violations occur when an employer has been cited previously for a substantially similar condition and the citations have become final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Serious violations involve a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to decide to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the Independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 1 News Release: BOS 2001-033 Monday, March 26, 2001 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 OSHA PROPOSES OVER $62,000 IN FINES AGAINST BOSTON-BASED CONTRACTOR FOR ALLEGED REPEAT SAFETY VIOLATIONS FOLLOWING INSPECTION AT NEW BEDFORD, MASS., CONSTRUCTION SITE The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited
[Suffolk Construction Co., Inc., had previously been cited for violations of these safety |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-58 Thurs., March 22, 2001 Contact: Linda McLaughlin Phone: (770) 493-6644 ext. 0 OSHA FINES BRISTOLPIPE NEARLY $293,000 FOLLOWING ELECTROCUTION AT GREENSBORO, GA., PLANT The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Bristolpipe Corporation and proposed penalties totaling $292,600 following an electrocution death at the company's Greensboro, Ga., plant. Just before the accident, the victim received a non-fatal shock while trying to retrieve a bucket of water from under the extruder, a machine that shapes plastic for sewer and water pipes. A clogged pipe from the extruder drain pan was causing water to continually fill the bucket and overflow onto the floor. The worker was fatally injured on his second attempt to remove the water-filled bucket when he made electrical contact either through the water on the floor or at the extruder machine itself. Following an inspection of the accident, OSHA cited Bristolpipe with three willful violations, carrying proposed penalties totaling $189,000, for failure to:
The agency issued willful citations in this case because the company showed "blatant |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-50 Thurs., March 15, 2001 Contact: Ramona Morris Phone: (205) 731-1534 ext. 0 OSHA PROPOSES $123,200 PENALTY FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS FOUND AT HUNTSVILLE TRENCHING SITE The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Shelby Contracting Co., Inc., and proposed penalties totaling $123,200 for safety violations at an excavation site in Huntsville, Ala. OSHA's inspection began after one of the agency's compliance safety and health officers observed workers installing a manhole in an unprotected, 29-foot deep trench. Following an inspection of the job site, OSHA cited the company for two willful violations of trenching standards for allowing employees to work in a trench with no adequate protective system and no safe means of exiting the excavation. The two willful citations carry proposed penalties totaling $112,000. "To ensure worker safety in excavations over five feet deep, walls must be sloped or shored or trench shields or boxes must be used," said Ramona Morris, acting area director for OSHA's Birmingham office. "Failure to provide some kind of protective system exposes employees to the risk of cave-ins. Too many workers are trapped or killed when management makes the decision to shortcut safety." Morris added, "In this case, employees were also placed at risk of falling back into the trench as they tried to exit it." OSHA inspectors observed that the exit ladder at the worksite fell short of a ramp going to the top of the trench. This left workers in the hazardous position of having to climb on all four limbs for four to six feet along the trench wall to reach the ramp. In addition to the two willful citations, one repeat violation drew a proposed fine of $11,200 for failing to have a competent person inspect the trench. OSHA cited the company for a similar violation in 1999. In explaining OSHA's reason for issuing willful citations in this case, Morris said, "This employer was aware of the highly hazardous nature of trench work and knew this particular trench was unsafe but failed to take any action to protect workers whose lives were at risk." OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the OSH Act and regulations. Huntsville-based Shelby Contracting employs about 120 workers primarily in water, sewer and pipeline construction. The company has 15 working days to contest OSHA's citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Inspection of the worksite was conducted by OSHA's area office located at Vestavia Village, 2047 Canyon Rd., Birmingham, Ala. 35216; telephone: (205) 731-1534. |
|
|
| Region 2 News Release: NY 118 March 9, 2001 Contact: Chester J. Fultz Phone: 212-337-2319 BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, HOSPITAL CITED BY OSHA FOR ALLEGED SAFETY VIOLATIONS; $79,000 IN PENALTIES PROPOSED The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Long Island College Hospital, 339-397 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, New York, and proposed penalties of $79,000 for two alleged repeat violations and 20 alleged serious violations of OSHA standards. The hospital has until March 29 to contest the citations. According to OSHA area director Richard Mendelson, the action results from an investigation conducted from November 14 through March 7 following an employee complaint of unsafe conditions in the maintenance areas of the hospital's physical plant. The hospital was cited for two alleged repeat violations, carrying a total proposed penalty of $25,000, for low headroom in a fire exit access hallway and door and for exposed electrical connections. A repeat violation is one for which an employer has been previously cited for the same or a substantially similar condition and the citation has become a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Long Island College Hospital was previously cited for these conditions in March, 2000. The alleged serious violations for which the employer was cited included:
The serious violations carry a total proposed penalty of $54,000. |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-31 Wednesday, March 07, 2001 Contact: William Grimes Phone: (770) 493-6644 ext. 0 OSHA FINES NORTH CAROLINA CONTRACTOR $61,000 FOLLOWING ELECTROCUTION AT LOGANVILLE, GA., JOB SITE The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Mount Airy, N.C.-based Pike Electric, Inc., for 10 serious safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $61,000 following the investigation of a fatal accident in Loganville, Ga. According to William Grimes, OSHA's Atlanta-East acting area director, an employee working in an elevated lineman's bucket was electrocuted on Sept. 11 when he came in contact with a 14,400-volt power line. "While upgrading an electrical system, this employee disconnected electrical feed. When his back made contact with the de-energized primary circuit at the same instant that contact was made with the live primary conductor, the worker was electrocuted," said Grimes. "Basic safety precautions -- responsible training and appropriate protective equipment -- could have saved this worker's life," added Grimes. OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. Among the serious citations issued against the company for failing to protect workers from potential hazards were:
Pike Electric, Inc. does contract work throughout the South and mid-West. Prior to this |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-33 Wed., March 07, 2001 Contact: Gail Davis Phone: (334) 441-6338 OSHA FINES COTTONTON, ALA., PAPER MANUFACTURING PLANT $72,650 The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today cited Mead Coated Board, Inc., and proposed penalties totaling $72,650 for safety violations at the company's Cottonton, Alabama, plant. Inspection of the paper manufacturer began after an accidental release of hazardous hydrogen sulfide gas caused evacuation of the mill and sent six employees to the hospital. None were seriously injured. OSHA cited the company for one willful violation with a $55,000 proposed penalty because Mead did not have a written lockout procedure for shutting down, during maintenance, tanks containing hazardous chemicals. The company failed to meet its own requirement that each piece of equipment have a specific, written lockout process. The paper industry routinely uses lockout procedures to ensure that machinery remains inoperable during maintenance and repair. In addition to being cited for not having specific written lockout checklists, Mead received a repeat citation with a penalty of $10,000 for failure to perform the lockout procedures that would have isolated and de-energized the tanks while they were undergoing maintenance. The citation was categorized as repeat because the company had been cited previously for a substantially similar hazard. "The gas leak occurred in the chemical recovery tank farm, an area of the mill where by-products of the paper manufacturing process are stored," said Lana Graves, OSHA's Mobile area director. Graves explained that acidic brine from one storage tank mixed with black liquor from another tank generating hydrogen sulfide. "The hazardous vapor was released into the air because the tanks had not been properly ‘locked out' prior to an outside contractor commencing work on them." Graves added, "We issued a willful citation against Mead because the company's failure to act showed blatant disregard for OSHA lockout standards, particularly since outside contractors had, on several occasions, noted the absence of specific lockout procedures for certain equipment," said Graves. Five serious citations accounted for the remaining $7,650 in proposed penalties. These included:
OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain |
|
|
|
__________________________________ FEBRUARY 2001
. |
| TRADE NEWS RELEASE Tuesday, February 27, 2001 Contact: Bill Wright Phone: (202) 693-1999 KANSAS GRAIN STORAGE COMPANY SETTLES SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS Owners of a Kansas grain storage facility paid $685,000 in penalties for safety and health violations at its Haysville grain elevator as part of a final settlement agreement approved by an administrative law judge, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced today. DeBruce Grain, Inc. was cited by OSHA on Dec. 7, 1998, for violations of the grain handling standard that triggered an explosion at the Haysville facility on June 8, 1998. That explosion killed seven workers and injured ten others. "This settlement cannot replace the lives lost nor make up for the pain suffered by those injured in that catastrophic accident almost three years ago," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "But, it does show that DeBruce management wants to do the right thing by resolving this matter so they can continue to work toward eliminating safety hazards at their worksites and better protect their employees." The agreement settles citations issued against the company that included hazards related to dust collection systems, the storage of flammable and combustible materials, machine guarding violations, and violations of the respiratory protection and recordkeeping standards. DeBruce Grain, Inc. employs 250 workers at facilities in Nebraska, Texas, Iowa, and Kansas. The DeBruce facilities have a combined capacity of 44 million bushels of grain. The half mile-long facility at Haysville (southwest of Wichita) is the largest in the world under one head house, with a total storage capacity of 24 million bushels. (NOTE: A group of independent consultants, including six experts in grain elevator explosions, was commissioned by OSHA to compile a report on the explosion. An executive summary of that report is available on OSHA's web site at: http://www.osha-slc.gov/html/hot_6.html |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-29 Monday, Feb. 26, 2001 Contact: Susan Johnston Phone: (770) 984-8700 OSHA CITES CONTRACTORS FOLLOWING FATAL ACCIDENT AT ACWORTH, GA, CONSTRUCTION SITE The Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today cited a Georgia general contractor and three sub-contractors following a fatal fall at an Acworth construction site. The four were charged with seven serious and four repeat safety violations with proposed penalties totaling $48,600. According to Susan Johnston, OSHA's Atlanta-West area director, the accident occurred Nov. 10 when an employee of Victor Javier Campos, one of the sub-contractors on the site, fell 28 feet from the roof of a three-story apartment building under construction. The employee died four days later. Following an inspection, OSHA cited the four contractors for failing to protect employees working six feet or more above the ground and for failing to conduct frequent inspections of the worksite. The violations were classified as serious for general contractor J. Andrews Construction Co. and sub-contractor Victor Javier Campos, but as repeat with regard to the two other sub-contractors -- Antonio Ruiz and Charles M Paine, Inc. -- because both had been inspected and fined by OSHA in February 1998 for the same violations. Additional serious citations were issued against Ruiz and Campos for failing to train employees about fall hazards and protection against them. "Falls are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry," said Johnston. "Many serious injuries and deaths could be prevented if employers would develop effective fall protection programs, including hazard assessments, use of proper equipment to control the hazard of falls, establishing trustworthy anchor points for guardrails and lifelines, and implementing sound work rules." Johnston added, "Educating employees in how to protect themselves is an extremely important part of a responsible fall protection program, and the training should be frequently reinforced." A repeat violation occurs when an employer has been cited previously for a substantially similar condition and the citation has become a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. A serious violation is one in which there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew of or should have known of the hazard. All four companies have 15 working days to contest the OSHA citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Board. Inspection of the worksite was conducted by OSHA's Atlanta-West area office located at 2400 Herodian Way, Suite 250, Smyrna, Ga., 30080-2968; telephone: (770) 984-8700. For additional safety information or assistance in developing a fall protection program, contact the Atlanta -West area office. OSHA's toll-free, nationwide hotline -- 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742) -- may be used to report workplace accidents or fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, especially if they occur outside normal business hours. |
|
|
| Region 2 News Release: NY 116 February 26, 2001 Contact: Chester J. Fultz PHONE: 212-337-2319 NEWARK, NEW JERSEY MATTRESS COMPANY CITED BY OSHA FOR ALLEGED WILLFUL AND OTHER SAFETY VIOLATIONS; $154,000 IN PENALTIES PROPOSED The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Mattressonic, Inc., of 354 Thomas Street, Newark, New Jersey, and proposed penalties of $154,000 against the firm, alleging two willful, thirty-two serious, and five other-than-serious violations of OSHA standards. The citations result from an inspection of the facility conducted from August 23, 2000, to February 21, 2001, following a formal employee complaint to OSHA. The firm employs 60 workers. "This employer allowed its employees to work without proper eye protection knowing that workers were at risk of serious injury from flying projectiles such as industrial staples and wood shards", said David Ippolito, area director of OSHA's Parsippany area office. "The company also had been put on notice by OSHA that it was required to properly guard its machinery and use appropriate signs to make employees aware of the dangers of amputation from working with unguarded equipment." OSHA cited the company for failure to ensure that employees wore eye protection, and for failure to guard quilting machines, two alleged willful violations carrying a total proposed penalty of $87,500. Among the alleged serious violations for which OSHA also cited the company are:
The alleged serious violations carry a total proposed penalty of $$64,500. |
|
|
| Region 1 News Release: BOS 2001-022 Monday, February 26, 2001 Contact: John M. Chavez Phone: (617) 565-2075 OSHA CITES MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT, EMPLOYER FOR ALLEGED WORKPLACE SAFETY & HEALTH VIOLATIONS; PROPOSES OVER $92,000 IN PENALTIES The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor has cited AGC, Inc. of 140 Evansville Ave., Meriden, Conn., for alleged serious and other violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and has proposed penalties totaling $92,050 for those violations. OSHA initiated safety and health inspections of the AGC facilities, which manufacture aircraft engine component parts, on Oct. 12, 2000, under the Site Specific Targeting Program which focuses on workplaces with exceptionally high injury and illness rates. "Using 1998 data, the average lost workday injury and illness rate for all industries throughout the country was 3.1 per hundred workers. The rate for the AGC plant was 15.92 per hundred workers in that same period," said Clifford S. Weston, OSHA area director in Bridgeport. Both inspections concluded on Nov. 15, 2000. Weston noted that the violations found during the safety inspection include deficiencies such as lack of guard railings, obstructed means of egress, problems with material handling equipment, machine guarding and electrical hazards, as well as insufficient means for controlling the lock out of hazardous energy sources. In all, the company is being cited for 33 alleged serious safety violations carrying proposed penalties totaling $71,050. In addition, Weston said the health inspection revealed serious violations involving: lack of hearing conservation program and engineering controls for noise overexposures; lack of a hazard assessment for personal protective equipment; lack of appropriate respirator program; inadequate emergency eyewashes; inadequate training concerning hazardous chemicals, more specifically, hydrofluoric acid; hazards associated with cadmium; and the lack of protection for first aid responders where no exposure control plan was in place and employees were not offered the Hepatitis B vaccination. AGC is being cited for 12 alleged serious health violations, including proposed penalties totaling $18,900. Three other-than-serious violations found during the health inspection address: recordkeeping deficiencies, personal protective equipment and lack of updated material safety data sheets. Those alleged violations include a proposed penalty of $2,100. Weston said numerous individual hazards were found in the workplace, with most of the citations containing groupings of multiple instances of alleged violations. He urged Connecticut employers and employees with questions regarding safety and health standards to contact the OSHA area offices in Bridgeport or Hartford. He added that OSHA's toll-free nationwide hotline -- 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742) -- may be used to report workplace accidents and fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, especially those situations which occur outside of normal business hours. A serious violation is defined by OSHA as one in which there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. An other-than-serious violation is a condition which would probably not cause death or serious physical harm, but would have a direct and immediate impact on the safety and health of employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 gives OSHA the responsibility to issue standards and rules requiring employers to provide their employees with safe and healthful workplaces and jobsites. Through workplace inspections, OSHA assures that standards are followed. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to either elect to comply with them, request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-27 Friday, Feb. 23, 2001 Contact: Ramona Morris Phone: (205) 731-1534 ext.0 OSHA PROPOSES $181,200 PENALTY FOLLOWING FATAL ACCIDENT AT ANNISTON FOUNDRY The Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Union Foundry Company, Anniston, Ala., and proposed penalties totaling $181,200 for serious, willful and repeat safety and health violations following the investigation of an Aug. 22 fatality at the plant. The accident happened when an employee was caught in an unguarded conveyor pulley while he attempted to unclog a sand chute nearby. "This tragic accident could easily have been prevented if the employer had adopted standard safety procedures that guard workers from hazards associated with moving machine parts," said Ramona Morris, acting director of OSHA's Birmingham area office. Following a safety inspection, OSHA proposed a penalty of $70,000 for one willful citation in connection with the unguarded conveyor pulley. "A willful citation results in cases where there appears to be an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the OSH act and regulations," Morris explained. "In this case, the conveyor pulley's guard had been removed three months earlier when the machinery was relocated while new equipment was installed. The guard was never replaced even though it was sitting near the machine in plain view." Morris added, "We issued a willful citation against Union Foundry because no effort was made to assure the safety of workers even though management was aware that an unguarded conveyor could result in serious injury or death. In fact, only months before, a worker had been killed in a similar accident in a Tyler, Texas, plant owned by the same parent company that owns the Anniston foundry." The safety inspection resulted in an additional $58,500 penalty for 17 serious citations for: electrical violations, including unmarked and open circuit breakers; an unguarded pit opening; other unguarded machines, and operating a crane without clearly marked load rates and audible warning devices. The agency also cited two repeat safety violations with total penalties of $12,500 for operating defective powered industrial trucks and failing to ground electrical equipment. Both violations had been cited previously following OSHA inspections of the company in 1999. A health inspection was initiated, shortly after the fatality investigation began, as part of OSHA's national emphasis program for silica. This inspection resulted in seven serious health violations with proposed penalties totaling $40,000. Violations included failure to follow silica dust standards and not providing personal protective equipment to employees exposed to noise and chemical hazards. A serious violation, whether the result of a safety or health inspection, is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. Union Foundry employs approximately 400 workers at the Anniston location. The company has 15 working days to contest OSHA's citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's area office located at Vestavia Village, 2047 Canyon Rd., Birmingham, Ala. 35216; telephone: (205) 731-1534. |
|
|
| Region 6 News Release: USDL-OSHA-01-19-2-23 Friday, Feb. 23, 2001 Contact: Diana Petterson Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 OSHA PROPOSES $161,550 PENALTY AGAINST MICHAEL ANGELO'S GOURMET FOODS, INC., IN AUSTIN FOR ALLEGED SAFETY VIOLATIONS. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Michael Angelo's Gourmet Foods, Inc., in Austin, Texas, with 34 alleged safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $161,550, announced the U.S. Department of Labor. Michael Angelo's Gourmet Foods is a frozen food manufacturer that employs about 615 workers in North Austin. The alleged safety violations were discovered during an OSHA inspection that began Aug. 24, 2000 by a referral from an OSHA health inspector after a release of ammonia at the plant on Aug. 8, 2000. In a separate health investigation, OSHA issued $220,950 in proposed penalties to the company on Feb. 5 for 21 alleged health violations resulting from the ammonia release. The company was cited for two willful, 20 alleged serious and 12 other-than-serious safety violations. The two willful violations involved failing to provide training and proper lockout/tagout procedures during cleaning and maintaining of machines to ensure that the energy sources from the machines could not be restarted; and failing to properly guard moving parts of machinery. Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety & Health Act and regulations. The company was also cited with 20 alleged serious safety violations, some of which include failing to follow federal regulations regarding process safety management of the ammonia system, control of hazardous energy while servicing machines, machine guarding, electrical hazards and other safety issues. A serious violation is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. The 12 alleged other-than-serious safety violations involve hazardous conditions that would probably not cause death or serious physical harm but would have a direct and immediate relationship to the safety and health of employees. The Aug. 11, 2000 investigation regarding the 21 alleged health citations, issued to the company on Feb. 5, was in response to an evacuation an ammonia release that resulted in 12 food production workers requiring medical attention. The ammonia release occurred on Aug. 8, 2000. The three alleged willful violations of OSHA's health standards include failing to provide personal protective equipment, failing to provide training in response to hazardous chemical releases and failing to maintain a permitting system to ensure that employees entering confined spaces could not be overcome by hazardous atmospheres. The 18 alleged serious health violations involve failing to follow hazardous waste and emergency response preparation, respiratory protection standards and permit required confined space provisions. "OSHA investigators found machine safety interlocks deliberately bypassed in order to speed up production and maintenance work on machinery that was not properly locked out of service putting employees at risk for amputations and other serious injuries," said Paul L. Brantley, OSHA area director in Austin. "Preventable injuries were occurring in the plant and the employer did not take prompt corrective action to reduce these injuries." Michael Angelo's Gourmet Foods has 15 working days from the receipt of the citations to either comply, request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA Austin area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
| Region 9 News Release: USDL-14 February 21, 2001 Contact: Deanne Amaden Phone: 415-975-4741 Pago Pago Firm Fined for Hazardous Work Conditions OSHA investigation follows worker fatality SAN FRANCISCO - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a concrete block manufacturer for three serious violations of federal health and safety laws following an investigation into the death of a worker at the company's manufacturing facility at Daniel Inoyue Industrial Park in Tafuna. CBT Lumber & Hardware, Inc., of Pago Pago, American Samoa, received the OSHA citation and was assessed $13,500 in penalties for several safety violations, including serious violations for failing to guard the concrete mixer's rotating blades, which caused the injury, and failing to follow standard lockout/tagout procedures to prevent the start-up of the mixer's blades during cleaning, which also contributed to the accident. The OSHA investigation of CBT Lumber & Hardware was prompted by the November 15, 2000 death of an employee, 48 year old Paituli Malakai, who was chipping and cleaning hard concrete out of the mixer's tub when his leg was amputated by the blades of a concrete mixing machine. Upon inspecting the facility, OSHA inspectors found additional violations unrelated to the worker's death. OSHA issued citations for serious violations for the failure to have machine guards on portable tools, conveyor belt pulleys and drive belt pulleys. OSHA also issued a citation for other-than-serious violations which included failure to have stair rails and guardrails on platforms and lack of proper electrical connections and covers. OSHA cites for serious violations only when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer either knew, or should have known, of the hazard. The company has 15 working days from the date of the notice to contest the citations. |
|
|
| Region 2 News Release: NY 114 February 13, 2001 Contact: Chester J. Fultz Phone: 212-337-2319 OSHA CITES LINDEN, NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURER FOR ALLEGED SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS; $78,000 IN PENALTIES PROPOSED The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration has cited Charles Beseler Co., of 1600 Lower Road, Linden, New Jersey and proposed penalties totaling $78,000 against the firm., alleging thirty-four serious and five other-than-serious violations of OSHA standards. The company has until February 27 to contest the citations. According to Robert D. Kulick, OSHA area director, the citations resulted from a safety and a health inspection conducted from August 18, 2000, through January 26, 2001, following an employee complaint. Following the two inspections, OSHA cited the company for a total of thirty-four alleged serious violations, including:
The alleged serious violations carry a total proposed penalty of $76,400.
The alleged other-than-serious violations carry a total proposed penalty of $1,600. |
|
|
| Region 3 News Release: USDL: III-01-02-12-017-PA Mon., Feb. 12, 2001 Contact: Leni Uddyback-Fortson Office: (215) 879-0127 FALCON PLASTICS CITED FOR ALLEGED SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS; OSHA PROPOSES $161,000 IN PENALTIES The U.S. Department of Labor has cited Falcon Plastics, Washington, Pa. for alleged violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, proposing $161,000 in penalties. Falcon Plastics is a plastics products manufacturer employing 220 people. OSHA initiated an inspection on Aug. 17, 2000 in response to a complaint filed after an employee suffered amputation of several fingers. This was the second accident involving amputation suffered by a Falcon employee within a five-month period. According to Robert Szymanski, area director of the OSHA Pittsburgh office, the company was issued two willful violations, carrying a penalty of $112,000; 15 serious violations, carrying a penalty of $49,000; and seven other-than-serious violations, which carry no penalty. "These two unfortunate incidents occurred because Falcon Plastics allowed its employees to work on unguarded machinery, without use of the hand tools" says Szymanski, "Proper guarding must be employed immediately to prevent future tragedies from occurring." The willful violations were issued because of the company's failure to guard machinery and failure to provide special hand tools designed to protect machine operators from inadvertently making contact with the machine. Serious violations included:
Other-than-serious violations were due to the company's deficient recordkeeping, poor |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-16 Mon., Feb. 12, 2001 Contact: Terry Bailey Phone: (205)731-1534 OSHA CITES ALABAMA FIRM FOR OVER-EXPOSING EMPLOYEES TO METHYLENE CHLORIDE The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Alaco Sales, Inc., for 12 serious health violations and proposed penalties totaling $27,000 for over-exposing employees to high levels of methylene chloride at the company's Russellville plant. According to Terry Bailey, OSHA's Birmingham assistant area director, the investigation began Nov. 16, following a compliant filed with the agency about a process at the facility which uses an adhesive containing 60 percent methylene chloride. The agency found that six employees --- who wore no respiratory or eye protection --- were exposed to as much as 14 times the permissible exposure level during a spraying operation to attach a layer of batting to foam cushions. "Employees must be protected when they work with hazardous chemical," Bailey said. "Fortunately, someone alerted us to the problem at this facility and we were able to take action." In addition to violations of the permissible exposure levels, the company was cited for failure to:
"Depending on the length and level of exposure to the chemical vapors, employees may |
|
|
| Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-14 Tues., Feb. 6, 2001 Contact: Lana Graves Phone: (334) 441-6131 OSHA FINES CONTRACTOR $168,000 FOLLOWING ACCIDENT AT PANAMA CITY JOB SITE The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today cited Red Simpson, Inc.(RSI), and fined the company $168,000 after two employees suffered serious burns at a Panama City job site. According to Lana Graves, OSHA's Mobile, Ala., area director, two RSI workers were replacing an old power line pole with a new, taller pole when the aerial lift in which they were working came in contact with live overhead power lines. The employees received second and third degree burns. "Too many Florida construction workers are injured or killed on the job," said Graves. "And too many of the injuries and deaths are the result of electrocution accidents." OSHA's inspection of the Panama City accident resulted in two willful and five serious citations against RSI. Penalties totaling $140,000 were assessed for the willful violations which included a citation for allowing employees to come too close to energized parts without requiring them to wear "sleeves" insulated to protect their upper arms and shoulders. The unprotected workers' proximity to overhead power lines brought metal parts on the aerial lift in contact with live wiring which caused the accident. In addition, one of the employees was working 55 feet above the ground without a full body harness or other fall protection. Tools and metal material cluttering an aerial lift, as was the case on this job site, can lead to damage of the insulated lining of the bucket. This potential exposure to electrical shock accounted for one of the five serious citations issued by OSHA. The other four included failure to train workers about maintaining minimum safe distances from energized overhead power lines and about required testing of protective rubber gloves; failure to perform the actual tests that ensure the integrity of the insulated rubber gloves; failure to require safety glasses when cutting wood or wires, and permitting metal parts on the aerial lift to come in contact with live wiring. The serious citations carry penalties totaling $28,000. "This employer has a significant history of OSHA citations for violations involving energized overhead power lines," said Graves. "Since 1998, RSI has been cited five times for this type of violation and four of the five were directly related to fatalities." Graves continued, "The company took no action at this job site to enforce its own safety manual which addresses requirements for minimum clearance from overhead power lines and the need for fall protection when working from aerial lifts. Employers like RSI are one of the reasons OSHA began the CARE (Construction Accident Reduction Emphasis) program in Florida." In 1999, to respond to the high rate of construction accidents in the state, OSHA launched CARE. The program follows extensive outreach activities with an equally extensive inspection and enforcement effort. Because fall and electrocution accidents accounted for 63 percent of the total construction fatalities in that year, the agency introduced two new special emphasis programs under CARE, one targeting falls and the other electrocutions. Alexandria, Louisiana-based RSI employs approximately 1,500 workers to repair, maintain and construct electric power. The company has 15 working days to contest OSHA's citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Inspection of the Panama City work site was conducted by staff from the Mobile OSHA area office located at 3737 Government Boulevard, Suite 100, Mobile, Ala. 36693-4309; telephone: (334) 441-6131. |
|
|
| Region 6 News Release: USUSDL-OSHA-01-13-02-01 Thurs., Feb. 1, 2001 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 OSHA PROPOSES $58,900 PENALTY AGAINST KOEHLER BAKERY CO. INC., NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Koehler Bakery Co. Inc., in North Little Rock, Ark., with alleged safety and health violations and proposed penalties totaling $58,900, announced the U.S. Department of Labor. The alleged violations resulted from a follow-up inspection that began Sept. 14, 2000. The company was cited for three alleged serious violations, which consisted of failing to provide covers for floor holes, failing to guard live electrical parts and failing to provide proper electrical wiring for equipment. A serious violation is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result. The penalties totaled $3,900. Additionally, the company was cited for failing to abate (correct) safety violations cited in a previous inspection that was conducted on January 27, 1999. The violations included improper machine guarding and failing to properly identify electrical circuits. The penalties for failing to abate the previous violations totaled $55,000. Koehler employs about 40 workers at its Warden Road facility in North Little Rock. Employers or workers who have questions concerning safety and health may contact the OSHA Little Rock area office at (501) 324-6291. They may also take advantage of the free consultation offered by the Arkansas Department of Labor Consultation Service at (501) 682-4520. Koehler has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the Little Rock area director or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
|
__________________________________ JANUARY 2001
. |
| Region 3 News Release: USDL: III-01-01-30-013-PA/DE Tues., Jan. 30, 2001 Contact: Kate Dugan Office: (215) 861-5101 GENERAL CHEMICAL CORP. CITED FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS; OSHA PROPOSES $487,000 IN PENALTIES The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited General Chemical Corporation Delaware Valley Works for alleged safety and health violations at both the North plant in Marcus Hook, Pa., and the South plant in Claymont, Del., and proposed penalties totaling $487,000. According to Phyllis Kyner, area director of the Philadelphia OSHA office, an inspection was initiated on Aug. 4, 2000 at the company's North plant when six employees were hospitalized after a release of Hydrogen Fluoride. The inspection at the South plant began on Sept. 14, 2000 as a result of a complaint. "The hazardous conditions found at these sites foster a continuously unsafe work environment for General Chemical employees," said Kyner. "Immediate action must be taken to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety and health of these workers." The citations issued today are the result of both inspections and have been issued so that the company is not penalized twice for the same violations found in each plant. Eight willful violations with a proposed penalty of $365,000; 25 serious violations with a penalty of $104,000; and, two other-than-serious violations with a penalty of $1,000 have been issued for both the North and South Plants. Citations for four serious violations, with a proposed penalty of $17,000, were issued for the South plant only. A description of the alleged violations follows: one willful violation of the process safety management standard - specifically, not addressing the Process Hazard Analysis teams' recommendations in a timely manner, not establishing a written schedule of correction or documenting completion of those recommendations. More than 70 instances of the teams' recommendations from 1991 until present were not resolved. one willful violation of the process safety management standards - not correcting deficiencies in equipment. one willful violation of the confined space standard in that the company did not ensure that all procedures specified by the permit had been conducted before entering a hydrogen fluoride tank one willful violation of the lockout/tagout standard for not implementing an adequate program (lockout/tagout procedures are designed to safeguard employees from the unexpected startup or release of stored energy in machines or equipment). one willful eyewash and shower violation which involved defective facilities at both plants. three willful violations for recordkeeping for over 100 instances of not recording or misrecording lost time in calendar years 1998, 1999 and 2000. The serious citations cover a range of violations of the process safety management standard; failure to notify the emergency actions team and failure to implement an emergency response plan when an emergency occurred; various violations of the personal protective equipment standard; confined space violations; failure to conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures; and, failure to train employees in the hazards of hydrogen fluoride. The serious citations issued to the South plant involve the process safety management standard for failure to have operating procedures on how to deal with airborne exposure to ammonia; problems with the mechanical integrity program; and failure to conduct inspection of valves or repair structural defects when discovered; and failure to maintain the hydrogen sulfide alarm in working condition. The other-than-serious violations concern the certification of lockout/tagout training and other procedural inadequacies. Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. Serious violations involve a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to decide to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the Independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspections were conducted by the Philadelphia OSHA office, 2nd and Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa., (215) 597-4955 and the Wilmington OSHA office, 844 N. King St., Room 2209 Caleb Boggs Federal Building, Wilmington, Del., (302) 573-6518. |
|
|
| Region 1 News Release: BOS 2001-015 Tuesday, January 30, 2001 Contact: John M. Chavez Phone: (617) 565-2075 Employer and worker awareness of carbon monoxide dangers stressed OSHA CITES TWO EMPLOYERS FOLLOWING JANUARY 3RD CARBON MONOXIDE OVEREXPOSURES AT CHELSEA, MASS., MEAT WHOLESALER Following a January incident in which 13 employees of a Chelsea, Massachusetts, meat wholesaler were overcome by carbon monoxide from a borrowed forklift truck, the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited the wholesaler, James J. Derba, Inc., and the company which supplied the forklift, Big T&D Trucking, also of Chelsea, for alleged Serious and Other than Serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. OSHA has proposed combined penalties against the two employers totaling $22,600. According to Brenda Gordon, OSHA area director for Suffolk County and Southeastern Massachusetts, the alleged violations encompass overexposure to carbon monoxide, lack of adequate engineering controls to reduce such exposure, the use of defective forklift trucks, lack of employee training in the safe operation of forklift trucks and pallet jacks, and failure to maintain required employee illness and injury logs. On January 3rd, 2001, Derba employees were using a propane-powered forklift truck borrowed from Big T&D Trucking to help hang 200-300 pound beef sections in a meat hanging cooler. Carbon monoxide from the truck's exhaust built up to dangerous levels in the enclosed space of the unventilated cooler. As a result of this, the workers experienced symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning including headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness. All required medical attention. "This was a close call, a textbook example of the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure that clearly illustrates why employers need to take effective steps to safeguard workers," said Gordon. "In this case, the employees were acutely exposed to excess levels of carbon monoxide that were potentially lethal. This forklift truck should not have been allowed to operate in this cooler." Gordon explained that carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless poisonous gas produced by the incomplete burning of any material containing carbon, such as gasoline, natural gas, oil, propane, coal or wood. One of the most common sources of exposure in the workplace is the internal combustion engine. "Carbon monoxide is a chemical asphyxiant," she said. "Exposure to it restricts the ability of the blood system to carry necessary oxygen to body tissues. Prolonged overexposure to carbon monoxide can result in death or permanent damage to those parts of the body which require a lot of oxygen, such as the heart and brain." Among the means of reducing carbon monoxide hazards are providing adequate ventilation in the workplace and ensuring that fossil-fuel-powered equipment is in proper working order so as to minimize its carbon monoxide levels. Where appropriate ventilation in unavailable, effective controls -- for example, the use of an electric rather than a gas-powered vehicle -- should be implemented. Cold weather can increase carbon monoxide hazards since traditional warm weather sources of workplace ventilation -- windows, doors, vents, bays -- may be closed or sealed against low outside temperatures. Gordon encouraged Bay State employers seeking more information about carbon monoxide or other workplace health and safety hazards to contact the OSHA area offices in Braintree, Methuen or Springfield, the free employer consultation service provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Division of Occupational Safety, private safety and health consultants or employers' insurance carriers. An OSHA fact sheet on carbon monoxide poisoning is available through its area offices or on line at www.osha.gov under the News Room link. Specifically, the citations and proposed penalties against the two employers are: James J. Derba, Inc. faces a total of $15,600 in fines for: Two alleged Serious violations, with $12,600 in proposed penalties, for:
One alleged Other than Serious violation, with a propose penalty of $3,000, for:
Big T&D Trucking faces $7,000 in fines for:
One alleged Other than Serious violation, with a $2,000 penalty proposed, for: |
|
|
| Region 2 News Release: NY 110 January 25, 2001 Contact: Chester J. Fultz PHONE: 212-337-2319 BRONX, NEW YORK, RECYCLING COMPANY CITED BY OSHA FOR ALLEGED SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS; $94,880 IN PENALTIES PROPOSED The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Hunts Point Recycling Corporation, of 342 Casanova Street, Bronx, New York, and proposed penalties of $94,880 against the firm for one alleged willful violation, eleven alleged repeat violations, nine alleged serious violations, and one alleged other-than-serious violation of OSHA standards. The company has until February 15 to contest the citations. According to OSHA area director Philip Peist, the action results from an investigation conducted from July 25, 2000 through January 18, 2001 following a complaint about a lack of personal protective equipment at the company, which operates a garbage transfer station and recycling center. OSHA alleges that the company willfully violated OSHA's protective equipment standard by failing to ensure that employees use appropriate eye protection. The alleged willful violation carries a proposed penalty of $36,000. The firm was also cited for eleven alleged repeat violations, carrying a proposed penalty of $42,880, including:
A repeat violation is one for which an employer has been previously cited for the same or
The alleged serious violations carry a total proposed penalty of $16,000. |
|
|
|
Region 6 News Release: USDL-OSHA-01-12-01-24 Wed., Jan. 24, 2001 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 OSHA CITES SAW PIPES USA INC., BAYTOWN, TEXAS, FOR ALLEGED WORKPLACE SAFETY VIOLATIONS; PROPOSES $82,000 IN PENALTIES The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Saw Pipes USA Inc., in Baytown, Texas, for alleged serious, repeat and other safety violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and proposed penalties totaling $82,000, announced the U.S. Department of Labor. The OSHA Houston North area office began an inspection of the company's facilities on Oct. 30, 2000 and found 32 alleged serious violations in the plant, including unguarded machinery, unguarded floor holes, open-sided-floors, exposed electrical parts, serious deficiencies with overhead cranes, and serious deficiencies in the control of hazardous energy. A serious violation is defined as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. The company was also cited for one alleged repeat violation for housekeeping and one alleged other than-serious violation for ladder safety. A repeat violation is defined as one where, upon re-inspection, a substantially similar violation is found. An other-than-serious violation is a condition, which would probably not cause death or serious physical harm, but would have a direct and immediate impact on the safety and health of employees. On Jan. 19, 2001, OSHA cited Saw Pipes for allegedly failing to properly document recordable injuries and illnesses over the past three years and proposed penalties of $536,000. That inspection began July 2000. The company manufactures large diameter carbon steel pipes mainly for the oil and gas transmission industry and employs about 112 workers. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA Houston North area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. |
|
|
|
Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-10 Mon., Jan. 22, 2001 Contact: Lawrence J. Falck, III Phone: (813) 626-1177, ext. 0 OSHA FINES FLORIDA SUB-CONTRACTOR NEARLY $230,000 FOR SCAFFOLD SAFETY VIOLATIONS The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Austin Builders, Inc., and proposed penalties totaling $229,250 for safety violations found at a Lithia, Fla., construction site. "The owner of this company demonstrated a total disregard for the safety of his employees," said Lawrence J. Falck, OSHA's Tampa area director. " An OSHA compliance officer, driving by the construction site, observed workers 18 to 30 feet above the ground on scaffolds without guard rails. A safety inspection was conducted immediately because of OSHA's fall prevention emphasis program." The July 5 inspection revealed other safety violations as well. OSHA cited the company for three willful violations with proposed penalties totaling $210,000 for allowing employees:
According to Falck, the general contractor had repeatedly warned Austin Builder's owner |
|
|
|
Region 3 News Release: III-01-01-22-007-PA Mon., Jan. 22, 2001 Contact: Leni Uddyback-Fortson PHONE: OFFICE: (215) 861-5102 OSHA CITES DENVER, PA COMPANY FOR ALLEGED SAFETY & HEALTH VIOLATIONS; MORE THAN $230,000 PROPOSED IN PENALTIES The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Acme Lancaster Distribution Center, Denver, Pa, for alleged safety and health violations, proposing a total of $232,000 in penalties. The company operates a warehouse distribution center that ships products to Acme/Alberton's grocery stores, and employs 970 workers at its Denver, Pa. site. OSHA initiated its inspection on July 16, 2000 in response to a complaint. According to Bob Fink, area director of the Harrisburg OSHA office, the company was cited for four willful violations, which carry a proposed penalty of $170,000; one repeat violation with a proposed penalty of $12,500; 20 serious violations, with a proposed penalty of $48,500; and seven other-than-serious violations, with a proposed penalty of $1,000. The willful violations are due to deficiencies in the company's process safety management program, involving its ammonia refrigeration system. Ammonia can be extremely hazardous if inadvertently released and may cause severe respiratory disorders and death. The repeat violation is due to a lack of company forklift training for workers. The serious violations include:
Other-than-serious violations address:
"Acme Lancaster Distribution Center has disregarded employees' safety and health by not |
|
|
|
TRADE NEWS RELEASE Friday, January 19, 2001 Contact: Bill Wright Phone: (202) 693-1999 OSHA CITES TEXAS PIPE MANUFACTURER FOR RECORDKEEPING VIOLATIONS; PROPOSES PENALTIES OF MORE THAN $500,000 Failure to properly document recordable injuries and illnesses over the past three years has resulted in a $536,000 proposed penalty for a Texas pipe manufacturer, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced today. Saw Pipes USA, Inc. was cited for 67 alleged willful violations of the recordkeeping rule at its Baytown, Tex. facility. The citations and proposed penalties represent one of the largest cases of recordkeeping violations over the last decade. "Accurate records help reduce injuries and illnesses by helping an employer to pinpoint the hazards that cause them in the first place," said OSHA Administrator Charles N. Jeffress. "When an employer fails to keep proper records, or simply neglects the responsibility altogether, then he or she has placed employees at risk. That is precisely what Saw Pipes has done in this case, and it cannot be tolerated." OSHA began its inspection of the facility in July 2000. An initial inquiry revealed numerous problems with the company's injury and illness logs and resulted in a detailed probe of the company's recordkeeping procedures, including their OSHA logs between 1998-2000. Employers with more than 10 workers must maintain records of workplace injuries and illnesses to help track and improve management of safety and health hazards. Based on that inspection, OSHA issued 66 alleged willful instance-by-instance violations for failure to record each work-related injury and illness. A total of $528,000 in proposed penalties was assessed. One additional willful violation, with a proposed penalty of $8,000, was issued for 16 instances where the employer failed to correctly record work-related injuries and illnesses. "This case comes on the very day OSHA issued its revised recordkeeping rule," Jeffress said. "Proper recordkeeping is not only a critical component of an employer's total safety and health effort, but it also helps OSHA identify high-hazard industries and worksites and aids in helping determine where regulatory efforts should be directed. It is essential that records be properly kept." Saw Pipes USA, Inc. employs 112 workers and manufacturers large carbon steel pipes, used mainly for oil and gas transmission. A willful violation is defined as one committed with an intentional disregard of or plain indifference to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. Saw Pipes USA, Inc. has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. (NOTE: The last major recordkeeping enforcement case involved U.S. Denro Steel, Inc., (doing business as Jindal United Steel Corporation), a steel manufacturer also located in Baytown, Tex. The company was cited by OSHA on Oct. 20, 2000 for 122 willful instance-by-instance violations of the recordkeeping rule and assessed penalties of $1,098,000). |
|
|
|
Region 4 News Release: USDOL: 01-08 Thurs., Jan. 18, 2001 Contact: Les Grove Phone: (803) 765-5904 OSHA FINES SHIPTECH AMERICA $31,000 FOLLOWING FATAL ACCIDENT AT NORTH CHARLESTON SHIPYARD The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Shiptech America, LLC, and proposed penalties totaling $31,150 following a fatal accident at a North Charleston shipyard. According to Les Grove, OSHA's Columbia, S.C., area director, a Shiptech America employee was electrocuted while troubleshooting an electrical problem in a ship's portal crane. "This employer failed to ensure that all live equipment parts to which the worker could be exposed were de-energized," said Grove. "If safety-related work practices had been in place to protect the employee from electrical hazards, this tragedy could have been prevented." OSHA's inspection of the company, which maintains and repairs all equipment at the Detyens Shipyard, resulted in citations for nine serious violations of safety standards, most of which dealt with electrical hazards. The serious violations included:
OSHA defines a serious violation as one in which there is substantial probability that |
|
|
|
Region 1 News Release: BOS 2001-009 Tuesday, January 16, 2001 Contact: John M. Chavez PHONE: (617) 565-2075 OSHA CITES BIDDEFORD, MAINE, EMPLOYER FOR ALLEGED WORKPLACE SAFETY VIOLATIONS; PROPOSES $108,000 IN PENALTIES AGAINST INTERSTATE BRANDS CORP. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor has cited Interstate Brands Corporation of Biddeford, Maine, for alleged serious, repeat and other violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and has proposed penalties totaling $108,000 for those alleged violations. According to C. William Freeman, OSHA area director for Maine, his office began an inspection of the company's facilities on September 8, 2000, in response to a formal complaint filed by the union representing the company's employees. The company produces bakery products such as bread, rolls, donuts and pies under the brand names of Nissen, Hostess and Wonder. Freeman noted that the inspection revealed a number of hazards in the plant, ranging from open-sided floors and unguarded floor holes, to unguarded machinery and serious deficiencies in the control of hazardous energy. Consequently, the company is being cited for the following alleged workplace safety violations: Fifteen alleged SERIOUS violations, carrying proposed penalties totaling $58,000
Two alleged REPEAT violations, including proposed penalties totaling $50,000 for:
Two alleged other-than-serious violations with no proposed penalties for:
A serious violation is defined by OSHA as one in which there is substantial probability that |
|
|
|
Region 1 News Release: BOS 2001-007 Tuesday, January 9, 2001 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 OSHA PROPOSES $133,000 IN FINES AGAINST BANGOR & AROOSTOOK RAILROAD FOR 48 REPEAT, SERIOUS AND OTHER SAFETY VIOLATIONS AT ITS DERBY, MAINE, MAINTENANCE FACILITY The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad for 48 alleged Serious, Repeat and Other than Serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act at its Derby, Maine, maintenance facility. OSHA has proposed penalties against the railroad totaling $133,000. According to C. William Freeman III, OSHA area director for Maine, the alleged violations were discovered during an inspection initiated on July 11, 2000, in response to a formal complaint from employees at the facility and encompass a cross-section of safety hazards involving exposed live electrical parts, failure to deenergize an electrical circuit before performing maintenance, unguarded moving machine parts, defects involving a crane, lifting hooks and lifting slings, unprotected LPG tanks, unsafe welding practices, improperly modified forklift trucks, the accumulation of water and oil in welding pits, lack of fall protection and inadequate fire safeguards. "Left uncorrected, the cited conditions expose these workers to the dangers of fire, explosions, electrocution, falls, slips, trips, being struck by falling materials or by moving cranes and forklifts, as well as being injured by or caught in moving machine parts," said Freeman. "There is nothing exotic or arcane about these hazards. They can and should be addressed by employer adherence to basic, commonsense and legally required safeguards." Specifically, the citations and proposed penalties encompass: Thirty-two alleged Serious violations, accounting for $95,500 in proposed fines, for:
Three alleged Repeat violations, with $37,500 in proposed penalties for :
[The railroad had previously been cited for substantially similar hazards in citations
The Bangor & Aroostook Railroad is headquartered in Northern Maine Junction, Maine. |
|
|
