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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2006 - 04/05/2006 - OSHA Cites Marlborough, Mass., Granite Firm Following Crushing Death |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 06-591-BOS/BOS 2006-091 Wednesday April 5, 2006 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 OSHA Cites Marlborough, Mass., Granite Firm Following Crushing Death
METHUEN, Mass. -- The death of a worker who was crushed by granite slabs at a Marlborough, Mass., workplace has resulted in $55,300 in fines from the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA cited ASI/Massachusetts Stone Fabrication & Supply, a manufacturer of granite countertops located at 894 Boston Post Road, for 15 alleged serious violations of workplace safety standards. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm are likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known. On Oct. 3, 2005, two workers were attempting to move a six-foot by 10-foot granite slab stored between several other granite slabs when the slabs fell on the workers, killing one and injuring the other. OSHA's inspection found that the company failed to provide a workplace free from recognized crushing hazards due to improper storage of the stone slabs and did not train the workers to properly handle and move the slabs. "Proper training and storage are critical to protect workers because of the size and weight of these granite slabs," said Francis Pagliuca, OSHA's area director for Middlesex and Essex counties. "The lack of these and other safeguards at this workplace leave its workers exposed to death and serious injury from crushing, fire, electrical and other hazards." Additional crushing hazards identified during the inspection stemmed from the company's failure to inspect cranes, hoisting devices and wire rope slings for defects, a missing safety latch on a load hook, unmarked load ratings for granite slab storage racks, and defective wire rope slings. Other hazardous conditions at the workplace included obstructed and unmarked exits; no fire extinguisher training; fall and tripping hazards from an unguarded floor hole; fire and electrocution hazards from a severely frayed extension cord used to power a compressor; crane defects; an unguarded flywheel; and no complete and accurate assessment of workplace hazards to determine what personal protective equipment workers needed. The company has 15 working days from receipt of its citations 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. OSHA's Methuen area office, which conducted the inspection, can be reached at (617) 565-8110. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # #
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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