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OSHA News Release
2005 - 02/09/2005 - OSHA Cites Richwood Company for Failing to Correct Workplace Hazards; Proposes More Than $156,000 in Fines |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 3 News Release: 05-173-PHI (osha 05-010) Date: Feb. 9, 2005 Contact: Leni Uddyback-Fortson Phone: (215) 861-5102 OSHA Cites Richwood Company for Failing to Correct Workplace
Hazards; Proposes More Than $156,000 in Fines CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Cherry Valley Furniture, Inc. for failing to correct safety and health hazards previously identified at its Richwood, W.Va. site. The custom-made office furniture company employs 20 workers. "Cherry Valley Furniture's refusal to correct the many hazards OSHA found threatens its employees' safety and health," says Stanley Elliott, OSHA area director in Charleston, "The significant penalty of $156,840 in this case demonstrates our commitment to protect America's workers." OSHA initiated its investigation in August 2004 in response to a complaint alleging that the company had not abated machine guarding and ventilation violations cited after an OSHA inspection in May. Cherry Valley Furniture now has received 24 failure-to-abate notices from OSHA, with a proposed penalty of $149,640. The company also was issued citations for three alleged repeat violations with a proposed penalty of $4,800, and two alleged serious violations with a proposed penalty of $7,200. The failure-to-abate notices address spray paint booth hazards; respirator deficiencies; lack of fire extinguisher training; electrical hazards, machine guarding hazards; recording errors; and a lack of hazard communication training. The repeat violations include electrical hazards; failure to maintain a clean and orderly place of employment; and failure to post the citations from the May 2004 inspection. The serious violations include deficiencies related to personal protection equipment and various electrical hazards. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. Repeat citations are issued when an inspection reveals failure to comply with standards for which the business has previously been cited. The company has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA's Charleston, area office, 405 Capitol St., Suite 407, phone: (304) 347-5837. The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted more than 39,000 inspections in fiscal year 2004. Twenty percent were in response to workers' complaints. 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 <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. 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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