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OSHA News Release
2006 - 06/26/2006 - OSHA Fines Middleboro, Mass., Cement Manufacturing Plant $71,200 for Safety and Health Hazards |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 06-1024-BOS/BOS 2006-173 Monday, June 26, 2006 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 OSHA Fines Middleboro, Mass., Cement Manufacturing Plant $71,200 for Safety and Health Hazards
BRAINTREE, Mass. -- A Texas-based cement manufacturing company's alleged failure to properly protect its workers from safety and health hazards at its cement products plant in Middleboro, Mass., has resulted in proposed penalties of $71,200 from the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA cited Pavestone Inc. for 18 alleged serious, three alleged repeat and nine alleged other-than-serious violations of safety and health standards. OSHA's Braintree area office began an inspection Dec. 28, 2005, in response to a report that a worker's arm was crushed by a hydraulic device while working on a conveyor belt. The inspection found that a safety switch had been bypassed and lockout procedures were not in place. "Workers were exposed to the hazards of crushing, falls, electrocution, burns, and respiratory illness," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director for southeastern Massachusetts. "If the company had followed OSHA's safeguarding standards, this unfortunate accident may have been avoided." Safety hazards included unguarded portions of the conveyor belt, fall hazards, propane tanks exposed to damage, electrocution hazards and defects involving a hoist and lifting slings. Health hazards included employee's overexposure to silica, inadequate engineering controls to reduce silica and dust levels, deficient respirator and confined space entry programs, lack of annual audiograms for all workers exposed to high noise levels, ladder misuse, and incomplete illness and injury logs. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm are likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. A repeat citation is issued when an employer has previously been cited for a similar hazard and that citation has become final. An other-than-serious citation is issued for a condition that would probably not cause death or serious physical harm but would have a direct and immediate relationship to the safety and health of employees. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers and employees with questions about workplace safety and health can contact OSHA's Braintree area office at (617) 565-6924. A 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. 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. 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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