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Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
OSHA News Release
2003 - 10/07/2003 - Fatal Accident at Ohio Steel Firm Brings Fines for Federal Workplace Safety and Health Violations |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
Region 5 News Release V-413 October 7, 2003 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: 312-353-6976 Fatal Accident at Ohio Steel Firm Brings Fines for Federal
Workplace Safety and Health Violations OSHA Proposes $288,250 in Fines TOLEDO, Ohio -- U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced today that it has fined Progressive Processing, Inc., of Elyria, Ohio, $288,250 for failing to protect workers from a variety of safety and health hazards. OSHA opened an inspection at Progressive Processing on April 9 following a fatality in which an employee's clothing became entangled in the rotating parts of machinery. OSHA's investigation not only found willful violations of machine guarding regulatory standards, but also determined that the steel processing firm failed to protect against employee hearing loss and was failing to properly record work-related injuries and illnesses that could have initiated an OSHA inspection. The federal workplace safety agency also found willful safety violations with the operation and maintenance of industrial trucks among, other workplace safety issues. "Machinery accidents are a major cause of job-related injuries and fatalities across the country. These accidents are preventable. Measures can and must be taken by employers to prevent such accidents. The penalty amount of $288,250 is an indication of the seriousness of this matter," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. OSHA has conducted four previous inspections since 1985 at Progressive Processing resulting in eight serious violations issued. The business employs approximately 150 workers in the processing of round steel bar stock primarily for the automotive industry. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses and protecting America's workers. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ### U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov/ebsa. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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