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OSHA News Release
2004 - 03/02/2004 - Oregon, Ohio Plant Fined $127,000 for Failing to Protect Workers from Lead, Cadmium Exposure |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 5 News Release 04-210-CHI Match 2, 2004 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: (312) 353-6976 Oregon, Ohio Plant Fined $127,000 for Failing to Protect Workers from Lead, Cadmium Exposure
TOLEDO, Ohio -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $127,000 in fines for Envirosafe Services of Ohio, Inc., of Oregon, Ohio, for failing to protect workers from over-exposures to lead and cadmium. "To ensure that injury and illness rates continue to decline, we must make sure that employers protect employees from workplace hazards," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The significant penalty of $127,000 in this case demonstrates this Administration's commitment to protecting the health and safety of American workers." The fine and OSHA citations follow an inspection initiated in September 2003 at the facility, which receives electric arc furnace dust from heavy industry plants and stores, then treats and disposes of the contaminated dust. The inspection revealed that workers were subjected to exposures in excess of permissible amounts and that the company failed to implement engineering and work practice controls to prevent over-exposures. Envirosafe employs about 70 workers at the Oregon, Ohio, facility and has had three previous OSHA inspections. One, conducted in 1978, resulted in violations. However, the company had been notified by independent consultants that workers were being exposed in excess of permissible standards and had been advised as to how the hazard could be corrected. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. In fiscal year 2003, OSHA conducted almost 40,000 inspections, an increase of more than 2000 inspections over 2002 levels; more than half focused on high-hazard industries. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses and protecting the health and safety of America's workers. ###
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) 693-7773 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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