|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
OSHA News Release
2004 - 03/02/2004 - OSHA Cites Golden Peanut Company for Exposing Workers to Safety Hazards at Two Warehouses |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
|
Region 4 News Release Release Number: 04-188-ATL (45) Tues., March 2, 2004 Contact: James Borders Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: (904) 232-2895 (404) 562-2076 OSHA Cites Golden Peanut Company for Exposing Workers to Safety Hazards at Two Warehouses
$104,000 in Penalties Proposed JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Golden Peanut Company, LLC, for exposing workers to safety hazards at the company's Greenwood and High Springs peanut storage facilities. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $104,000. "This company failed to protect its workers from known hazards," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The $104,000 in significant penalties proposed in this case demonstrates that this Administration is committed to protecting workers' health and safety." The company received 16 serious citations, with proposed total penalties of $58,000, for hazards observed at the Greenwood facility. The alleged violations included exposing employees to fall hazards from defective ladders, unguarded roof edges, floor openings, catwalks and platforms. The company was also cited for allowing workers to enter a dump pit, an area that might be oxygen deficient, without first testing the pit's atmosphere. OSHA's investigation also revealed that the company failed to have a worker and rescue equipment stationed outside the pit when employees were working inside it. The company was also cited for having improperly guarded machinery and inadequate protection from electrical hazards. The safety agency also issued 15 serious citations, with proposed penalties of $46,000, for exposing High Springs employees to hazards similar to those observed at the Greenwood warehouse. OSHA issues serious citations when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. Golden Peanut has 15 working days to contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA's Jacksonville area office staff conducted the inspections. The office is located in the Ribault Building, Room 227, 1851 Executive Center Drive; phone: (904) 232-2895. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses, and protecting America's workers. In fiscal year 2003, OSHA conducted almost 40,000 inspections, and more than half focused on high-hazard industries. For more information visit OSHA's web site at www.osha.gov. ###
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at <http://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. The U.S. Department of Labor 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. |
|
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
 Back to Top |
www.osha.gov | www.dol.gov |
Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers |
||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 |
||
