Region 5 News Release:   V-113
Mar. 2, 2000
Contact: Charles J. Shields
PHONE: 630-896-8700

Proposed Penalty Totals $144,000

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations alleging one willful, one repeat, and eleven serious safety violations to W.R. Kelso Company, 10201 Hague Road, Indianapolis, Ind., with proposed penalties totaling $144,000.

According to Charles J. Shields, OSHA's area director in North Aurora, Ill., a safety inspection was conducted at a construction site on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill., on September 9, 1999. The inspection was initiated when a federal safety and health compliance officer noticed roofing work being conducted at the roof edge without the use of any apparent fall protection.

As a result of the inspection, OSHA issued one willful, one repeat, and eleven serious violations for employees being exposed to fall related hazards of 35 feet.

OSHA defines a repeat violation as a violation that an employer has been cited previously for a substantially similar condition and the citation has become final order.

OSHA defines a willful violation as one in which the employer either knowingly failed to comply with a legal requirement or acted with plain indifference to employee safety.

OSHA defines a serious violation as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazardous condition and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

W.R. Kelso Company has fifteen working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

This information is available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (312) 353-6976; TDD Message Referral Phone: 1-800-800-4571