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OSHA News Release
2007 - 07/16/2007 - U.S. Labor Department's OSHA cites Bloomingdale, Ill., concrete pipe manufacturer $106,300 for health and safety violations |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 5 News Release: 07-928-CHI July 16, 2007 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: (312)353-6976 U.S. Labor Department's OSHA cites Bloomingdale, Ill., concrete pipe manufacturer $106,300 for health and safety violations
BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $106,300 in fines against Graber Concrete Pipe Co., Bloomingdale, for alleged multiple willful, serious and repeat violations of federal workplace safety and health standards. OSHA's investigation was initiated after being notified in January that an employee had become trapped inside a hopper and was engulfed by sand and other material, and that rescue efforts were underway. The rescue effort quickly became a recovery effort, however, as the employee expired. As a result of that investigation, OSHA has issued citations for two willful, four repeat and 14 serious violations of federal safety regulations. "Any commercial manufacturing activity has the potential to be extremely hazardous," said Kathy O'Connell, director of OSHA's area office in North Aurora, Ill. "Employers must remain committed to keeping the workplace safe and healthful." Serious citations, with $20,100 in proposed penalties, involve safety issues with industrial trucks, electrical hazards, confined space entry violations and unsafe fixed ladders. Proposed penalties for willful violations total $70,000 and address the lack of guardrails on open-sided floors or platforms, and cages or wells on ladders of more than 20 feet in height. Repeat violations, based on items previously identified as violations and affirmed as such in previous inspections, include a lack of energy lockout/tagout devices, guard railing violations, failure to guard floor holes to prevent persons from accidental falls, and failure to guard pulleys against accidental entrapment of employees or their clothing. Proposed penalties for repeat violations total $16,200. Graber manufactures and sells concrete pipe used for storm sewer systems. OSHA opened this investigation in January 2007. The agency has conducted inspections at Graber Concrete Pipe Co. on four occasions since 1982 and, prior to this one, as recently as 2006. The company has received numerous citations for safety and health violations. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure 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. Labor Department 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 at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL 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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