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OSHA News Release
2007 - 11/30/2007 - U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA proposes more than $51,000 in penalties against southwest Georgia concrete products manufacturer |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 4 News Release: 07-1819-ATL-361 Nov. 30, 2007 Contact: Dan Fuqua Michael Wald Phone: (404) 562-2078 (404) 562-2076 U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA proposes more than $51,000 in penalties against southwest Georgia concrete products manufacturer
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $51,200 in penalties for 31 safety and health violations found at ConArt Inc.'s concrete manufacturing facility in Cobb, Ga. "OSHA inspectors found numerous serious hazards, including multiple violations making employees vulnerable to amputation, which no employer should tolerate in its workplace," said John J. Deifer, director of OSHA's Savannah Area Office. Inspectors proposed $32,400 in penalties for 16 serious safety violations and $18,800 in penalties for 12 serious health violations, along with three other-than-serious violations. Problems include exposing employees to amputation hazards from machines lacking safety guards, electrical shock hazards by not implementing a lockout program to prevent accidental start-ups of equipment, and fall hazards by not providing standard guardrails and covers or grates for openings. Additionally, employees working around an open vat containing flammable material, allowing employees to smoke in flammable storage areas and combustible dust accumulated on machines represent burn and fire hazards. ConArt Inc. failed to establish a respiratory protection program or a hearing conservation program. The company's management did not provide training in bloodborne pathogens for first-aid responders. Finally, employees were not supplied with protective gloves and were allowed to handle corrosive materials without the availability of eyewash. The company has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Savannah Area Office, 400 Mall Blvd., Suite J, telephone 912-652-4393. OSHA operates a vigorous enforcement program, conducting more than 39,000 inspections in fiscal year 2007 and exceeding its inspection goals in each of the last eight years. In fiscal year 2007, OSHA found nearly 89,000 violations of its standards and regulations. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process 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. Call (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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