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OSHA News Release
2006 - 05/03/2006 - Baldwin, Wis., Company Fined $178,500 for Violations of Federal Workplace Safety Regulations |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 5 News Release: 06-666-ch Wednesday, May 3, 2006 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: 312-353-6976 Baldwin, Wis., Company Fined $178,500 for Violations of Federal Workplace Safety Regulations
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $178,500 in fines against metal fabricator Northern Metal Fab Inc., following an inspection at the company's Baldwin, Wis., facility. OSHA opened a complaint inspection at Northern Metal Fab after receiving information alleging the use of unsafe cranes and hazardous conditions in confined spaces and a paint spray booth. The federal workplace safety agency initiated a formal inspection in November 2005, resulting in citations for three alleged willful and 20 alleged serious violations of OSHA standards. Willful citations alleged that the company did not have procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services when employees entered permit-required confined spaces; failed to conduct frequent inspection of its cranes, and operated a 20-ton overhead crane with a broken sheave wheel. Serious violations addressed machine guarding deficiencies, lockout/tagout failures, electrical issues, confined space violations and other hazards. "Any one of these violations has the potential to cause serious harm, even death, to workers," said OSHA Area Director Mark Hysell, Eau Claire, Wis. "Any work involving confined spaces requires the ability to summon emergency responders immediately should incidents occur. Employees painting in spray booths and operating overhead cranes and other industrial equipment are performing inherently dangerous work, and there are federal standards in place for their protection." OSHA has conducted four inspections at Northern Metal Fab over the past eight years, issuing citations for violations of workplace safety and health regulations involving lockout/tagout, confined space, respiratory protection, and machine guarding in 1997. A 2001 inspection also revealed lockout/tagout issues. Lockout/tagout procedures are required to render machinery inoperable during maintenance and repair. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. 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. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # # U.S. Labor Department (DOL) 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) 693-7773 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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