Legal News for Alabama Employment Attorneys. OSHA cited an Alabama-based plant for willful safety and health violations.
Alabama employment lawyer alerts- OSHA cites company for violations that pose hazards to workers.
Mobile, AL—The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) http://www.osha.gov has fined C&W Industries $59,250 for various safety and health violations that were discovered while inspections were being conducted in August 2009. A U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Public Affairs press release announced the proposed penalties against the Union Springs, Alabama-based company. Several of the violations were described as “willful”, which OSHA defines as “one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health”.
According to information provided, the company was issued a safety violation after it was noted that workers were not suitably protected from amputation and caught-in hazards, resulting in a $38,500 penalty. It was noted that company officials reportedly did not execute mandatory lockout/tagout procedures to avoid energy start-up. The director of OSHA’s Mobile Area Office allegedly stated, “Workers should not have to risk amputations in order to earn a paycheck…Company management was aware if the requirements to establish a lockout program and did not take action.” During inspections, it was also reported that blood was still visible on machinery after an employee suffered amputation while working at the plant, which could have consequently posed a possible contamination threat to workers.
OSHA proposed $13,750 in penalties after it was recognized that workers are susceptible to “struck-by hazards while operating overhead hoists and cranes, fire hazards, and tripping and slipping hazards”. The firm was also cited with 10 other violations, accounting for $7,000 in penalties, for the company’s failure to report seven work-place accidents, which resulted in injury. The company was also noted for “failing to maintain OSHA 300 logs correctly, prepare annual injury and illness summaries, and develop and implement a Hazard Communication Program for hazardous chemicals, materials and respiratory protection”.
Upon receiving OSHA’s proposed citations, C&W Industries reportedly has 15 business days to “comply, ask for an informal meeting with OSHA’s area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission”.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Alabama Employment Lawyers.