Region 3 News Release:   III-01-07-16-072-NEP
Mon., July 16, 2001
Contact: Kate Dugan
OFFICE: (215) 861-5101
After Hours: (610) 522-9484

COMPANY WORKING IN BETHLEHEM, PA CITED FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS

ALLENTOWN - The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Haines & Kibblehouse, Inc., of Skippack, Pa., for alleged violations of safety and health standards and proposed $198,000 in penalties. The corporation provides construction and demolitions services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. This inspection covered employees working at a bridge demolition site in Bethlehem, Pa.

According to George Tomchick, area director of the Allentown OSHA office, the company received five willful violations, with a proposed penalty of $180,000 and four serious violations which carry a penalty of $18,000. The violations concern employees exposure to lead while torch cutting structures coated with lead paint.

"This employer has been cited by OSHA in the past for exposing his employees to the hazards of lead and is well aware of the measures required to protect his employees, but failed to provide even basic preventions at this site." said Tomchick

Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the OSH Act and regulations.

A serious violation involves a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to either decide to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission