Region 6 News Release:   USDL-OSHA-01-02-01-05
Jan. 5, 2001
Contact: Diana Petterson
PHONE: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222

OSHA ISSUES $174,000 PENALTY AGAINST VAN LEER CONTAINERS, INC.,
LA PORTE, TEXAS; COMPANY AGREES TO CORRECT VIOLATIONS AND PAY PENALTY

The Houston South area office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Van Leer Containers, Inc., of La Porte, Texas, with 11 safety and health violations, announced the U. S. Department of Labor. The company has agreed to correct the violations and pay the penalty.

The alleged violations were discovered during a July 31, 2000, inspection prompted by an employee complaint. The serious violations involved several instances of non-compliance with OSHA's standards for not providing guardrails around dangerous equipment, failing to provide stairway platforms, failing to perform a hazard assessment to determine appropriate personal protective equipment, failing to provide production employees with locks to lock equipment out, failing to remove damaged slings and failing to provide guards for dangerous machines.

The additional violations included allowing employees to clear jams on a daily basis without locking the equipment out; inadequate periodic inspections of the company's lockout/tagout program; failing to provide adequate lockout/tagout training; and failing to mark electrical circuits to identify their purpose.

"In addition to agreeing to correct the violations and pay the monetary penalty, the company will provide all employees with comprehensive training in lockout/tagout, machine guarding and the use of personal protective equipment, " said Ray Skinner, OSHA Houston South area director. The company will also hire a consultant to conduct safety and health audits of the facility for the next three years.

Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call the Houston South office at (281) 286-0583. 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.