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OSHA News Release
2003 - 03/17/2003 - Colorado Plastic Products Distributor Faces $129,200 in OSHA Fines for Violations of Workplace Safety and Health Standards |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 8 News Release: OSHA 03-12 Monday, March 17, 2003 Contact: Rich Kulczewski Phone: (303) 844-1302 Colorado Plastic Products Distributor Faces $129,200 in OSHA
Fines for Violations of Workplace Safety and Health Standards DENVER, Colo. -- Professional Plastics, Inc., Denver, Colo., is facing multiple citations and proposed fines of $129,200 for alleged violations of workplace safety and health standards, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor announced today. The company, a plastic products distributor, is being cited for two alleged willful and two alleged serious violations, with a total proposed penalty of $129,200. "Professional Plastics, Inc. failed to protect its employees from hazards which could contribute to amputation injuries," said Adam Finkel, regional director in Denver for OSHA. "The U.S. Labor Department will ensure that this employer takes responsibility to correct safety and health hazards for the long term." The alleged willful violation is for inadequate guarding at the point of operation on a saw used to cut plastic materials. The company also was cited for a willful violation for failure to use lockout/tagout procedures that ensure machines will not start-up accidently while they are being fixed or undergoing maintenance. The alleged serious violations include failure to provide appropriate electrical disconnects and wiring and failure to provide training on hazardous chemicals. The inspection of Professional Plastics, Inc. was conducted in September 2002 by OSHA's Denver area office as part of the agency's National Emphasis Program to reduce amputation hazards. OSHA inspections are conducted at establishments with a history of amputations and industries with an increased incidence of amputation hazards. A serious violation is one where there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, involving a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. A willful violation is one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. The company has 15 working days from the receipt of the citations to decide to comply, to request an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA is dedicated to assuring worker safety and health. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ###
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