|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
OSHA News Release
2005 - 05/03/2005 - OSHA Cites Mo-Vac Service Co. of Edinburg, Texas, for Alleged Safety Violations |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
|
Region 6 News Release: OSHA-05-723-DAL Tue, May 3, 2005 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 OSHA Cites Mo-Vac Service Co. of Edinburg, Texas, for Alleged Safety Violations
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations and proposed penalties of $127,750 against Mo-Vac Service Co., Edinburg, Texas, for allegedly failing to test confine spaces for hazardous conditions and other workplace hazards. "Strong enforcement is a key part of our strategy to reduce worker fatalities, injuries and illnesses," said John Giefer, OSHA's area director in Corpus Christi. "The employer permitted workers to enter confined spaces without following the program requirements, risking death or injury." Mo-Vac Service, which transports waste water and cleans and repairs transfer tanks and trucks, was issued citations for one alleged willful and 23 alleged serious violations following an OSHA inspection that began Oct. 26 at the company's worksite in Edinburg. Employees were cleaning and repairing the inside of transportation trucks and trailers containing hydrocarbons and sanitary waste water. The company allowed employees to enter without following the confined space provisions of established safety and health standards. The alleged willful violation resulted from the employer's failure to test the confined space for hazardous atmospheric conditions before permitting employees to enter. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with intentional disregard of or plain indifference to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Alleged serious violations included failure to: train employees on the proper use of respirators, ensure the use of emergency escape respirators in confined spaces, perform medical evaluations on employees using respirators and provide training for employees entering confined spaces. A serious violation is one in which there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. Employers or workers who have questions concerning safety and health may call OSHA's Corpus Christi area office at (361) 888-3420 or OSHA's toll free hotline number at 1-800-321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers. Mo-Vac Service Co. has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's Corpus Christi office, or contest the citations and proposed penalties 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 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 at (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 |
||
