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OSHA News Release
2006 - 09/12/2006 - OSHA Fines Goffstown, N.H., Employer $82,500 Following Worker Injury |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 06-1531-BOS/BOS 2006-245 Tuesday, September 12, 2006 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 OSHA Fines Goffstown, N.H., Employer $82,500 Following Worker Injury
CONCORD, N.H. -- A Goffstown, N.H., landscaping firm faces a total of $82,500 in fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after one of its workers lost his foot in a March 24 accident. An employee of Landscape Support Services Inc. was cleaning the interior of a trailer when his foot became caught in a moving conveyor used to unload material from the truck. OSHA's inspection found that the conveyor had not been shut down and its power source locked out before the employees started cleaning. "The conveyor should not have been operating while employees worked inside the trailer," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's New Hampshire area director. "The requirements that the conveyor be shut down and its power source locked out are designed to prevent just this type of accident, serious injury or worse." OSHA issued to Landscape Support Services Inc. two willful citations carrying $75,000 in fines for failing to shut down the conveyor and for not having lockout hardware available. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. The company was also issued six serious citations with $7,500 in proposed penalties for lack of specific lockout/tagout procedures, lack of employee training and annual lockout/tagout audits; failure to train employees to operate powered industrial trucks safely; failure to evaluate and identify confined spaces and post warnings; and having fall hazards of more than 8 feet from unguarded work areas. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm are likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to request and participate in an informal conference with OSHA or to contest the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Concord, N.H., area office at (603) 225-1629. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 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 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. 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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