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OSHA News Release
2006 - 07/06/2006 - OSHA Fines Suburban Chicago Company $165,200 for Safety Violations Following Fatal Workplace Incident |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 5 News Release: 06-1001-CHI July 6, 2006 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: 312-353-6976 OSHA Fines Suburban Chicago Company $165,200 for Safety Violations Following Fatal Workplace Incident
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. -- The death of a maintenance employee has prompted the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to propose $165,200 in fines against Custom Plastics Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill., for alleged willful and serious violations of workplace safety and health standards. OSHA opened an inspection at the plant in January after receiving information that the employee had fallen 12 feet while elevated by a forklift to repair a light. The investigation resulted in citations to Custom Plastics Inc. alleging two willful and seven serious violations of federal workplace safety and health regulations. OSHA issued the alleged willful violations as a result of the company's failure to provide a platform secured to the lifting carriage or forks of the forklift, and for continuing to use forklifts that had holes drilled through the forks. Serious violations were issued as a result of unsafe practices involving repair of energized equipment, failing to obtain written approval from the manufacturers for modifications made to forklifts, and failure to provide a safe work platform during the repair of electrical equipment. "Failing to comply with basic safety protections puts workers at unreasonable and unnecessary risk," said Diane Turek, OSHA's area director in Des Plaines, Ill. "When employers shirk their responsibility to keep the workplace free of these hazards, the results can be tragic for workers and their families." The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal 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 ensure 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 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. |
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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