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U.S. Department of Labor | |
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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2003 - 02/24/2003 - Failure to Correct Workplace Safety Hazards Leads to $80,700 OSHA Fine for Granite City Firm |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 5 News Release V-130 Feb. 24, 2003 Contact: Peggy Zweber Phone: (309) 671-7033 Failure to Correct Workplace Safety Hazards
Leads to $80,700 OSHA Fine for Granite City Firm Spruce Plastics Corp. Failing to Make Crucial Safety Corrections PEORIA, Ill. -- The failure of a Granite City, Ill. company to correct a range of workplace safety hazards has resulted in a proposed fine totaling $80,700, the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced today. OSHA fined Spruce Plastics Corp. after a follow-up investigation revealed that despite the results of an Aug., 2001 inspection, the firm failed to establish a written hazard communications program and train workers on hazard communication. Further, the agency is alleging that the company failed to provide workers personal protective equipment and failed to have fire extinguishers properly mounted and accessible, despite having been fined for those safety deficiencies in past inspections. "Failure to correct problems once they have been identified is a serious matter," said OSHA Area Director, Peggy Zweber, Peoria. "Unabated hazards most certainly affect the safety and health of the workers." Zweber said that OSHA also issued citations to the firm for alleged willful and serious violations of federal workplace laws including machine-guarding problems, hazardous issues involving forklift operations, and employee safety training. "This firm has had three employees injured in the past year as a result of not maintaining point of operation guarding on baling machines," Zweber said. "One occurred in New York and two at the Granite City facility. It should be apparent to anyone that this is a serious problem." Spruce Plastics Company bundles and processes used materials such as carpet padding and plastics for recycling and reprocessing. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the area director, and/or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration 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. ### 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) 693-7773 or TTY (202)693-7755. |
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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