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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2006 - 07/11/2006 - OSHA Fines Onyx Industrial Services $117,500 for Safety and Health Violations |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 5 News Release: 06-1064-CHI July 11, 2006 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: 312-353-6976 OSHA Fines Onyx Industrial Services $117,500 for Safety and Health Violations
CHESHIRE, Ohio -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $117,500 in fines against Onyx Industrial Services Inc., Nitro, W.Va., for allegedly failing to protect its workers from safety and health hazards at its worksite in Cheshire, Ohio. The company was cited for one alleged willful, four alleged serious and one alleged repeat violations following an inspection by OSHA's Columbus area office in January. The investigation found that two employees became engulfed by lime slurry while hydroblasting inside a tank at the American Electric Power generating station in Cheshire. Onyx was contracted by American Electric Power to perform services and maintenance operations. "Failing to comply with OSHA's safety standards when workers enter confined spaces puts them at unreasonable and unnecessary risk," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus. "Employers are responsible for keeping the workplace free of hazardous conditions." The willful citation was issued for failing to implement confined space entry conditions, exposing employees to engulfment and entrapment hazards. The alleged serious violations included failing to provide adequate personal protective equipment, failing to provide training on the hazardous conditions of entering a confined space and failure to identify rescue and emergency services for workers. A repeat violation was issued for failing to obtain the required information regarding the permit space hazards and entry operations. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. 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 violation is defined as a violation of any standard, regulation, rule or order where, upon reinspection, a substantially similar violation is found. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call the OSHA Columbus area office at (614) 469-5582. OSHA's toll-free hotline number may be used to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers at (800) 321-6742. The company has 15 working 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 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 (DOL) 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. DOL 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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