|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
OSHA News Release
2005 - 10/05/2005 - OSHA Cites Tuscaloosa Tire Manufacturer for Workplace Hazards |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
|
Region 4 News Release: 05-1860-ATL (258) Date: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 Contact: Roberto Sanchez Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: (205) 731-1534 (404) 562-2076 OSHA Cites Tuscaloosa Tire Manufacturer for Workplace Hazards
Agency Proposes More Than $91,000 in Penalties BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited BF Goodrich for safety and health hazards at its Tuscaloosa, Ala., tire manufacturing plant. The agency is proposing total penalties of $91,700, following an inspection conducted under OSHA's "site specific targeting program." "Site specific targeting identifies industries with high injury and illness rates," said Roberto Sanchez, OSHA's Birmingham area director. "From that list, establishments are randomly selected for inspection. The goal of the program is to recognize and correct hazards that contribute to worker injuries, illnesses and deaths." OSHA issued 26 serious citations against the company with proposed penalties of $79,000. Cited safety hazards included: failing to protect workers from falls into pits through floor openings and from loading docks and stairways that lacked guardrails; exposing workers to "caught-by" injuries; and electrocutions from unguarded machinery parts and electrical equipment. Citations for health hazards included failure to: provide employees with proper personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses and face shields; train employees and implement an emergency response plan and hazard communication program; provide electric grounding for containers of flammable material; and ensure proper drainage systems for storage tanks. The company also received two repeat citations, with proposed penalties of $12,700, for failing to provide employees with fall protection while working on platforms and lack of a written hazard assessment program. OSHA issues a repeat citation when an employer has been cited previously for a substantially similar conditions and the citation has become a final order of the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The company has 15 days to contest the current citations and proposed penalties before the Review Commission. Staff from the Birmingham OSHA office located at 950 22nd Street North, Suite 1050, conducted the inspection; phone: (205) 731-1534. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. 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. # # #
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) 693-7765 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 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 |
||
