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OSHA News Release
2004 - 06/08/2004 - Southeastern Ohio Aluminum Foundry Penalized $104,000 for Serious, Willful Workplace Safety Violations |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 5 News Release 04-877-CHI Date: June 8, 2004 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: (312) 353-6976 Southeastern Ohio Aluminum Foundry Penalized $104,000 for Serious, Willful Workplace Safety Violations
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations and proposed penalties to Ormet Primary Aluminum Corp. of Hannibal, Ohio, for machine guarding and other workplace safety hazards. "Strong enforcement has been one of the keys to this Administration's success in reducing workplace injuries and illnesses to record low levels," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The significant penalty of $104,000 in this case demonstrates our commitment to protecting the health and safety of American workers." The penalty and OSHA citations are based on an inspection initiated in December 2003 under the agency's targeted inspection program for workplaces with high injury or illness rates and after receiving a complaint involving the adjustment of electric production furnaces in the foundry. As a result of that inspection, OSHA issued citations for 17 alleged serious violations and one alleged willful violation of federal workplace safety regulations. The willful citation was issued for failure to install guarding to protect workers from a sprocket wheel and chain, resulting in a willful citation. The 17 serious citations involved trip and fall hazards and energy control deficiencies, electrical hazards and protective equipment deficiencies, among others. The business has had 82 previous OSHA inspections dating back to 1974, resulting in some 315 citations, many of which identified various machine-guarding issues. 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, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted almost 40,000 inspections, an increase of more than 2,000 inspections over FY 2002 levels; more than half focused on high-hazard industries. OSHA's role is to assure 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 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 at (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 http://www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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