Georgia Poultry Processor Cited for Exposing Employees to Amputations and Other Serious Hazards
Koch Foods of Gainesville, LLC., was cited for exposing employees to amputation hazards; and failing to provide fall protection, identify which employees were using hazardous energy control locks, and train employees exposed to noise hazards. Proposed penalties total $208,977. OSHA conducted the inspection as part of its Regional Emphasis Program for Poultry Processing Facilities. Read the news release for more information.
Goodyear Cited for Endangering Employees at Georgia Tire Facility
OSHA cited Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., for failing to: provide personal protective equipment to employees exposed to burn hazards; implement procedures for controlling hazardous energy during equipment maintenance activities; and caught-in hazards from unguarded machines. Proposed penalties total $69,058. For more information, read the news release.
Illinois Pallet Manufacturer Cited After Employee Injured by Machine
New Lenox, Ill., pallet manufacturer, Supplyside USA, was cited after an employee was injured while performing equipment maintenance. OSHA inspectors determined that the company, which operates as Prime Woodcraft, Inc., failed to install machine guards, implement energy control procedures to prevent unintentional machine operation, train employees on noise hazards, and prevent dust accumulation on surfaces. Proposed penalties total $91,832. Read the news release for more information.
Florida Construction Company Cited for Exposing Employees to Fall Hazards and Eye Injuries
OSHA has cited Action Concrete Construction, Inc., for exposing its employees to fall and eye hazards. Following an investigation of the company’s Panama City Beach, Fla., worksite, inspectors identified one willful violation for failing to install guardrails or use personal fall arrest systems while employees worked at a height of 11 feet. A second citation was issued for allowing employees to use a pneumatic air gun without proper eye protection. Proposed penalties total $59,864. For more information, see the news release.
Washington Cites Hotel Owner for Safety and Health Violations
The Washington Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) issued $355,000 in fines to the owner of the Seattle Pacific Hotel for knowingly exposing workers to asbestos hazards during lobby renovations. DOSH inspectors concluded that the hotel owner failed to inform, train, and certify workers on the hazards associated with asbestos removal. Inspectors issued an immediate stop-work order when the hazards were detected, and they determined that the owner also failed to sample the air prior to renovations, remove unmitigated asbestos debris from the site, and provide adequate respiratory protection. For more information, read the news release.
Minnesota Cites Excavation Company Following Worker Fatality
Minnesota OSHA issued $75,000 in penalties to Tom Baures Excavating, LLC., in Minnesota City after a worker was fatally crushed by a lowering tow truck box. Inspectors determined that the company failed to adequately train workers, and ensure that safe lockout-tagout procedures were developed and followed while workers were servicing the truck.
Florida Utilities Contractor Cited for Willful and Serious Safety Violations After Trench Cave-In
Jax Utilities Management Inc., was cited for exposing employees to trenching hazards after a worker was hospitalized for injuries caused by an unprotected trench collapse. The Jacksonville utilities contractor was also cited for exposing employees to struck-by and caught-in hazards, allowing employees to work without cave-in protection, and allowing water to accumulate in the trench. OSHA proposed penalties of $271,606. Read the news release for more information.
California Fines Foundry Over $280,000 for Confined Space Incident
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) cited Alhambra Foundry Co. Ltd., for eight safety and health violations after an employee’s legs were amputated to free him from an auger screw conveyor. Cal/OSHA’s investigation determined that the foundry failed to de-energize and lock out the equipment before employees performed cleaning operations, did not have a permit-required confined space program, and did not provide an attendant to monitor the confined space. The company faces proposed penalties of $283,390. For more information, read the news release.
Iowa Fines Grain Cooperative for Safety Violations After Fatal Silo Engulfment
Iowa OSHA issued 11 citations and $306,500 in penalties to East Central Iowa Cooperative in Waterloo for exposing workers to amputation and engulfment hazards. Iowa OSHA inspected the facility following a fatal incident when a worker was engulfed in flowing grain. Inspectors found that the cooperative failed to: provide workers entering grain bins with secured body harnesses; install machine guards on grain handling equipment; and train workers on proper grain bin entry conditions.
For more information or assistance with your Environmental and Health & Safety regulatory compliance needs, contact Ralph Carito at Total Environmental & Safety, LLC (Total) at rcarito@TotalEnviron.com or 908-442-8599.