Supervisor Fined for Interfering With Incident Scene
A supervisor at a company in Cornwall, ON, has been fined $6,000 for disturbing a workplace accident scene after a worker was badly hurt in a 28-foot (8.5 -meter) fall.
On Aug. 22, 2008, five workers were removing corrugated metal decking and insulation from a storage building roof at a former paper mill when one of the workers stepped through an area from which metal decking had been removed and fell to the ground.
Read MoreCompany Directors Fined in Teen’s Death
Two owners of a property management company in Australia have been fined $110,000 and their company must pay a further $25,000 in connection with the electrocution death of a teenager in Stanwell, Queensland, Australia.
The 16-year-old victim, Rueben Barnes, was electrocuted in 2009 while installing fiberglass insulation in the ceiling of a home. Barnes, an apprentice carpenter, was using a steel pole to move insulation into place when his head touched an electrified piece of metal in the ceiling.
Read MoreNovember 2010 Scorecard
REGION 1
Forest Products Company Cited Following Worker’s Death facing 15 alleged willful and serious violations. OSHA opened an investigation after a worker became caught in moving parts of a stacker machine at a mill in Presque Isle, ME. OSHA issued one willful citation for failure to de-energize and lock out the stacker and 14 serious citations alleging defective fork trucks, lack of access stairs, the lack of eye flushing facilities for employees working with corrosives, several machine guarding and electrical hazards and additional lockout/tagout hazards. Total penalties of $119,500 were proposed. [Columbia Forest Products Inc., Bangor, ME, Sept. 21, 2010].
REGION 2
Salt Plant Cited for Alleged Crushing, Fall, Fire, Mechanical and Electrical Hazards. A manufacturer of food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade salt has been cited for 37 alleged serious violations, including crushing hazards from damaged building structural support columns and lifting hooks that had not been rated to determine how much they could safely lift, several electrical hazards, a lack of PPE and unguarded moving machine parts. Other alleged violations include an obstructed exit door, failure to maintain the building’s sprinkler system, failure to bond flammable containers, a lack of fire extinguish training, tripping and fall hazards, unapproved modifications to a forklift and pressure vessels lacking pressure ratings and gauges. Proposed penalties totaling $111,600 have been issued. [US Salt LLC, Watkins Glen, NY, Sept. 2, 2010].
REGION 2
Painting and Stucco Contractor Cited for 15 Alleged Willful, Repeat and Serious Violations issued $225,200 in proposed penalties. OSHA says its inspectors observed clearly recognized fall hazards while driving past two jobsites. Eight willful citations were issued for failure to fully plank scaffolds, provide an access ladder, ensure scaffolds rested on base plates and provide fall protection. Six serious citations were issued for missing railings, toe boards and bracing. The repeat citation alleges failure to train workers on scaffold assembly and work. OSHA alleges that the contractor has repeatedly neglected to implement basic, common sense and legally required safeguards relating to fall protection. [Painting and Decorating Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY, Sept. 13, 2010].
REGION 2
Alleged Storage Concerns Bring Repeat Citations to Dollar Tree Stores. OSHA inspected a store in response to a complaint and issued two repeat citations for failure to properly stack, block, interlock or limit the height of stored materials to prevent these materials from sliding or collapsing onto workers. The same violations were cited earlier at other Dollar Tree Stores in Dover, NJ, and Kissimmee, FL. The employer was also cited for failure to cover exposed electrical outlets and failure to keep storage areas free from tripping and fire hazards. Proposed penalties total $52,125. [Dollar Tree Stores, Watchung, NJ, Sept. 7, 2010].
REGION 3
Manufacturer Cited for 10 Alleged Serious Violations issued $44,000 in proposed fines. OSHA initiated an inspection May 12, 2010 after being notified of an explosion in a waste dumpster. The alleged violations include inadequate hearing and respiratory protection programs, electrical hazards, improper use of compressed air and employee exposure to silica, lead and manganese fumes. [Felman Production Inc., Letart, WV, Aug. 30, 2010].
REGION 3
Brass Company Cited for Alleged Employee Lead Exposure issued willful and serious citations. OSHA alleges that the company refused to protect workers from overexposure to lead and other workplace hazards. Willful citations allege the company did not take air samples as required for workers who were over-exposed to airborne lead, did not provide required annual training on lead-exposure hazards, failed to provide required medical surveillance for lead-exposed workers and did not make available the results of medical tests performed shortly after OSHA came to the facility and opened the investigation. An additional willful citation alleged that the company stopped providing hearing tests to employees who were over-exposed to noise. Numerous serious citations allege additional lead exposure concerns, noise hazards, respirator issues and lockout/tagout issues. Fines totaling $550,400 have been proposed. [Kief Industries Inc., doing business as Excelsior Brass Works, Blandon, PA, Sept. 2, 2010].
REGION 4
Picture Frame Maker Cited by OSHA for 34 alleged violations. OSHA held a follow-up inspection to a 2008 visit and cited the company for willful failure to maintain a workplace free from the accumulation of combustible dust around equipment and overhead conduits and willful failure to administer hearing tests and to require hearing protection for workers exposed to noise above the baseline level. Among other repeat and serious safety and health violations cited were hazards associated with noise, flammable liquids, falls, dust collection, blocked exits, the lack of an eyewash station, the lack of machine guarding, inadequate emergency lighting, failure to conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures and failure to develop, implement or maintain a written hazard communication program. Proposed penalties total $228,320. [Art Horizons Inc., Batesville, MS, Sept. 17, 2010].
REGION 4
Alleged Cave-in Hazards Result in Construction Company Receiving $287,500 in Proposed Fines. OSHA alleges that a construction contractor exposed workers to excavation hazards while they were installing a storm water sewer junction box. Willful citations were issued for not having a protective system during excavation, failure to keep excavated and other materials or equipment at least two feet from the edge of the excavation and failure of a designated competent person to remove workers from hazardous working conditions. Serious citations alleging failure to instruct workers about the risks associated with working inside an excavation and not ensuring that workers wore hardhats while exposed to overhead hazards were also issued. OSHA requires that all trenches and excavations five feet or deeper must be protected against collapse. [Wiregrass Construction Co. Inc., Ariton, AL, Sept. 2, 2010].
REGION 4
Lumber Company Cited Following Worker’s Death issued $439,400 in proposed penalties. After opening an investigation into the death of one worker and the critical injury of a second worker, OSHA issued 53 citations for alleged health and safety violations. They include one willful and five serious safety and health citations for permitting a worker to stand under an elevated portion of a powered industrial truck. One worker died when his head was crushed between a motor being hoisted with a forklift and other equipment. In connection with another worker breaking his neck in a 10-foot fell while performing maintenance on a debarker machine, OSHA issued one willful, one repeat and one serious citation for not providing guardrails and fall protection and not having a means of disconnecting a rotor motor. Two failure-to-abate, 11 repeat, 21 serious and 10 other-than-serious safety and health citations were issued for other alleged violations, including failure to provide energy control procedures for equipment and machinery that require more than one lockout device, failure to provide proper electrical enclosures around live conductors and allowing ignitable or combustible dust to accumulate. [MDLG, doing business as Phenix Lumber Co, Phenix, AL, Sept.3, 2010].
REGION 4
Paving Company Cited After Worker Injured issued $62,200 in proposed fines. OSHA opened an inspection after a tractor struck a worker who was digging a shallow ditch. The worker was hospitalized but has since returned to work. OSHA cited the company for willful failure to provide a reverse signal alarm on equipment that struck and pinned a worker while it was backing up. The tractor had had a non-functional reverse signal alarm for about two years. Ten serious violations were also cited. They include failure to train workers in the recognition and avoidance of hazards, a lack of eye protection while working near chemicals, exposing workers to an accumulation of materials that could result in tripping, fires or explosions, failure to provide a fire extinguisher within 50 feet of flammable and combustible materials, operating trucks with inoperative safety devices and failure to develop or maintain a hazard communication program. [Asphalt Paving Specialists Inc., Hollywood, FL, Aug. 26, 2010].
REGION 4
Chicken Producer Issued Repeat and Serious Citations carrying $135,500 in proposed fines. OSHA opened an inspection after receiving a complaint concerning ammonia odors, trip and struck-by hazards, cuts and stabbing injuries. Cited were two repeat safety violations for failure to utilize lockout/tagout procedures and not labeling containers with appropriate hazard warnings. Serious citations allege fall hazards, unmarked fire exits, unsecured chlorine cylinders, unsafe batteries that exposed workers to acid burns and electrical shock, a lack of machine guarding, a lack of hand protection and electrical deficiencies. [Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., Russellville, AL, Sept. 7, 2010].
REGION 5
Iron and Metal Recycler Cited for Alleged Lead and Arsenic Exposure Hazards issued $135,850 in proposed fines. OSHA issued four willful citations alleging failure to implement a respiratory protection program, failure to provide a written lead compliance or training plan, failure to monitor air for lead during process or material changes and allowing workers to be exposed to lead in excess of allowable limits. Twelve serious citations were also issued for alleged failure to evaluate employees’ exposure to arsenic or provide arsenic training, place lead-contaminated clothing in closed and labeled containers, provide a medical surveillance program for lead exposure and implement a hazard communications training program. [Gaby Iron and Metal Co., Chicago, IL, Sept. 20, 2010].
REGION 5
Thermal Products Company Fined $77,500 for alleged electrical shock hazards. OSHA cited the company with six serious and two repeat safety violations for failing to provide proper PPE and lockout procedures for electrical equipment, resulting in a worker’s injury. The serious violations allege failure to provide fall protection, proper lockout procedures for machinery and electrical equipment and appropriate personal protective gear for employees working on electrical equipment. The repeat violations allege failure to properly shut down and lock out machinery prior to servicing and failure to provide proper training for workers conducting repairs on equipment. [Behr Dayton Thermal Products LLC, Dayton, OH, Sept. 21, 2010].
REGION 5
Hefty Fines Proposed for 38 alleged safety and health violations at meat packing plant. As a result of two inspections, OSHA cited four alleged willful violations for failure to perform hearing tests on employees exposed to extremely high noise levels and failure to record more than 125 injuries in the required OSHA 300 injury log. Twenty serious citations were also issued for alleged failure to provide proper fall protection and hand rails, failure to provide hazardous energy control and forklift training, a lack of eyewash stations, improper hazardous chemical storage, overexposure to high noise levels, a lack of PPE and a lack of required worker protection against bloodborne pathogens. Fourteen other-than-serious violations were also cited for failure to record injury and illness reports since 2007. Proposed penalties in this case total $369,500. [VPP Group LLC, Norwalk, WI, Aug. 31, 2010].
REIGON 5
Employer Hit With $466,400 in Fines for allegedly exposing workers to dangerous dust levels and other hazards. Ten willful citations were issued for exposing workers to levels of hazardous dust exceeding the permissible exposure limit, failure to implement a written respiratory protection program or to provide respirators to employees and failure to implement engineering controls to reduce harmful dust exposures. Fifteen serious citations were issued for violations including alleged failure to assess the need for adequate PPE, inadequate eye protection, unsanitary washing facilities, failure to develop procedures and practices for permit-required confined space entry, lack of a written hazard communication program and inadequate information and training on dust containing silica. Six repeat citations allege violations of permit-required confined space entry rules and failure to maintain a clean and orderly workplace. [US Minerals LLC, Dyer, IN, Sept. 9, 2010].
REGION 6
Company Issued $1.2 Million in Proposed Fines for alleged failure to properly record injuries and illnesses. A manufacturing company has been issued 83 willful citations for failure to record and improperly recording work-related injuries and illnesses. OSHA opened an investigation in response to a complaint that workplace injuries and illnesses weren’t being properly recorded. OSHA alleged that the company had either not recorded or failed to properly record the nature and/or duration of 72 percent of employee injuries and illnesses on its log between January 2008 and March 15, 2010. With regard to the injuries and illnesses improperly recorded, important information reflecting severity, such as the time away from work, was grossly incorrect. [Goodman Manufacturing Co. LP, Houston, TX, Sept. 1, 2010].
REGION 6
Refinery Issued Alleged Willful and Serious Citations with proposed penalties of $165,600. One willful citation was issued for failure to maintain process safety information for the design of various pressure vessels. Among 21 alleged serious violations are failure to provide the required information for changes on process safety management, provide an initial process hazard analysis, establish procedures on the integrity of process equipment, ensure that written operating procedures were made available regarding various equipment, ensure that workers entering confined spaces were provided with a prompt means of rescue in the event of an emergency and to provide required respiratory protection and personal protective equipment. [Martin Operating Partnership LP, Smackover, AR, Sept. 21, 2010].
REGION 7
Company Cited for Alleged Willful and Serious Violations after OSHA receives complaint. OSHA issued two willful citations alleging that spray painting took place outside of a predetermined, designated spray booth and that powered industrial truck fork extensions were used without manufacturer notification, approval and determination of lifting capacity. Serious citations allege hazards associated with storage of flammable liquids, improper forklift training and improper use of powered industrial trucks, the lack of an appropriate respiratory protection program and the lack of a chemical material safety data sheet. Proposed penalties totaling $124,000 were issued. [Porta-King Building Systems, Montgomery City, MO, Sept. 16, 2010].
Read MoreMontreal CUPE Workers Must Pay $2 Million
The Quebec Superior Court has ruled that Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 301 City of Montreal workers must pay $2 million in damages surrounding an illegal strike that resulted in injuries to the public.
The strike, which took place during an ice storm in Montreal in December 2004, lasted one week. During that time, no salt or sand was spread on city walkways, creating perilous conditions for pedestrians.
Sixty Montreal residents initiated a class action lawsuit for injuries or other damages they suffered as a result of the untended streets and sidewalks. Justice Danielle Grenier criticized the workers for their “reprehensible behavior” which showed a complete lack of concern for public safety.
Grenier also blamed the city for its timing in introducing a new dispatch system to which many workers were strongly opposed.
Info to go: Read more about winter slip and fall hazards by clicking on the Info to Go safety links at www.SafeSupervisor.com
Read MoreConstruction Firm Fined for Fatality
A construction company has been fined $83,570 after a worker died at a construction site in New Westminster, BC.
The victim had been setting up temporary framework (falsework) for a concrete pour when the falsework collapsed and several sheets of plywood stacked on top of it fell onto the worker.
According to WorkSafeBC, the company, Productive Construction Ltd., failed to ensure that the falsework was braced and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The firm also failed to ensure that the falsework was capable of withstanding the weight of the plywood and failed to provide its workers with adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure their safety for installing falsework.
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