|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
OSHA News Release
2008 - 03/31/2008 - U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites Howard Fertilizer & Chemical Co. for 23 safety violations with $236,000 in proposed penalties |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
|
Region 4 News Release: 08-417-ATL (083) March 31, 2008 Contact: Dan Fuqua Michael Wald Phone: 404-562-2078 404-562-2076 U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites Howard Fertilizer & Chemical Co. for 23 safety violations with $236,000 in proposed penalties
TAMPA, Fla. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Howard Fertilizer & Chemical Co.'s Groveland, Fla., facility with 23 safety violations and proposed $236,000 in penalties. "This company is putting its employees' lives at risk by failing to correct serious safety hazards and to educate its employees about these hazards," said Les Grove, OSHA's area director in Tampa. OSHA has cited the fertilizer manufacturer with failing to fully abate three hazards that OSHA had identified during a previous inspection. The agency has proposed $138,000 in penalties against the company for not informing and training employees about recognized dangers, not installing standard railings on open-sided catwalks, and exposing employees to confined spaces and electrical hazards. The company has been cited with 12 repeat violations carrying $72,000 in proposed penalties for failing to provide fall protection, not instituting lockout procedures (to prevent accidental energization start-ups) and machine guards on equipment, and exposing employees to numerous electrical hazards. Eight serious safety violations have been noted and $26,000 in penalties proposed against the company for failing to properly maintain catwalks, roof support beams and electrical equipment. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to contest them and the proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's area office in Tampa, 5807 Breckenridge Parkway, Suite A; telephone 813-626-1177. OSHA operates a vigorous enforcement program, conducting more than 39,000 federal inspections in fiscal year 2007 and exceeded its inspection goals in each of the last eight years. In fiscal year 2007, OSHA cited nearly 89,000 violations of its standards and regulations. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ### U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department 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 |
||
