Region 9 News Release:   USDL-14
February 21, 2001
Contact: Deanne Amaden
Phone: 415-975-4741

Pago Pago Firm Fined for Hazardous Work Conditions
OSHA investigation follows worker fatality

SAN FRANCISCO - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a concrete block manufacturer for three serious violations of federal health and safety laws following an investigation into the death of a worker at the company's manufacturing facility at Daniel Inoyue Industrial Park in Tafuna.

CBT Lumber & Hardware, Inc., of Pago Pago, American Samoa, received the OSHA citation and was assessed $13,500 in penalties for several safety violations, including serious violations for failing to guard the concrete mixer's rotating blades, which caused the injury, and failing to follow standard lockout/tagout procedures to prevent the start-up of the mixer's blades during cleaning, which also contributed to the accident.

The OSHA investigation of CBT Lumber & Hardware was prompted by the November 15, 2000 death of an employee, 48 year old Paituli Malakai, who was chipping and cleaning hard concrete out of the mixer's tub when his leg was amputated by the blades of a concrete mixing machine.

Upon inspecting the facility, OSHA inspectors found additional violations unrelated to the worker's death. OSHA issued citations for serious violations for the failure to have machine guards on portable tools, conveyor belt pulleys and drive belt pulleys. OSHA also issued a citation for other-than-serious violations which included failure to have stair rails and guardrails on platforms and lack of proper electrical connections and covers.

OSHA cites for serious violations only when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer either knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

The company has 15 working days from the date of the notice to contest the citations.