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Region 5 News Release: 12-1863-CHI
Sept. 24, 2012
Contact: Scott Allen      Rhonda Burke
Phone:         312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov    burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Miller Compressing
in Milwaukee for failing to isolate power during maintenance

MILWAUKEE – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Miller Compressing Co. in Milwaukee with two willful safety violations for allowing employees to perform maintenance on a shredder without first isolating the machine's energy source. OSHA opened an inspection upon receiving a complaint alleging hazards at the company's scrap processing facility. Proposed fines total $70,000.

"Miller Compressing Co. has a responsibility to ensure that workers are properly protected from known workplace hazards – such as machinery becoming unintentionally energized during maintenance – that can result in amputations and other serious injuries," said George Yoksas, OSHA's area director in Milwaukee. "OSHA is committed to protecting workers, especially when employers fail to do so."

Specifically, the willful violations are failing to lock out the electrical power source of a 7,000-horsepower shredder and have adequate energy control procedures in place for maintenance and servicing. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection is OSHA's third of the company; the last inspection was conducted in March 2011 and resulted in a citation for one violation.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Milwaukee Area Office at 414-297-3315.

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 ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.