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OSHA News Release
2007 - 11/15/2007 - U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA proposes nearly $220,000 in penalties against Jackson, Ga., tire recycler following fatality at plant |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 4 News Release: 07-1660-ATL (355) Nov. 15, 2007 Contact: Dan Fuqua Michael Wald Phone: (404) 562-2078 (404) 562-2076 U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA proposes nearly $220,000 in penalties against Jackson, Ga., tire recycler following fatality at plant
ATLANTA -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $219,800 in penalties against Tires Into Recycled Energy & Supplies Inc., Jackson, Ga., for willful, serious and other violations of federal workplace safety standards. OSHA opened an investigation following an employee fatality in May when combustible dust from material caught fire during the manufacturing process. The plant was being operated temporarily at the time until the equipment could be sold to another company. Part of the plant's labor force consisted of employees hired through the Georgia Department of Corrections probationers' diversion program. "This employer demonstrated total disregard for employees' safety by using employees who lacked the proper training for their jobs," said Gei Thae Breezley, director of OSHA's Atlanta East Area Office. The agency issued four willful violations with penalties of $196,000 for failing to reduce accumulations of combustible dust on equipment and in the facility, not developing a written emergency evacuation plan, not training employees on firefighting procedures for combustible dust and not developing a lockout/tagout program, which is intended to prevent inadvertent machine start-ups. OSHA also issued five serious violations with penalties of $14,700 for a lack of fall protection on equipment, lack of handrails on stairs, not providing formal training for forklift truck operators, not operating proper electrical equipment and not developing a hazard communication program. Three other-than-serious violations carrying a penalty of $9,100 were issued for recordkeeping violations. The company has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Atlanta East Area Office, 2183 Northlake Parkway, Building 7, Suite 110, Tucker, Ga., telephone 770-493-6644. OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by preventing injuries, illnesses and fatalities. The agency operates a vigorous enforcement program, conducting more than 39,000 inspections in fiscal year 2007 and exceeding its inspection goals in each of the last eight years. In fiscal year 2007, OSHA found nearly 89,000 violations of its standards and regulations. 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. Call (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. |
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