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OSHA News Release - (Archived) Table of Contents |
| NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only. |
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Region 5 News Release: 05-2008-Chi Date: October 18, 2005 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: 312-353-6976 Madison, Ill., Business Cited Again for Serious and Willful Violations of Worker Safety and Health Laws; $418,200 Penalty Proposed
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $418,200 in fines for Midwest Racking Manufacturing Inc., Madison, Ill., for failing to protect workers from numerous workplace hazards identified in a recent OSHA inspection and eight previous inspections. According to OSHA, the company has consistently failed to correct grave and potentially disastrous workplace hazards, including the lack of such basic worker protections as personal protective equipment, machine guarding, fire prevention measures, safety training, fall protection, and lockout/tagout procedures which render machinery inoperable during maintenance and repair. "To ensure that injury and illness rates continue to decline, we must make sure that employers protect employees from workplace hazards," said John Newquist, OSHA's area director in Peoria/Fairview Heights. "The significant penalty of $418,200 in this case demonstrates OSHA's commitment to protecting the health and safety of America's workers." The current fine and OSHA citations follow an inspection initiated in April 2005, following receipt of a complaint. The inspection led to 33 alleged violations -- five serious, 18 willful and 10 -- ranging from electrical hazards and smoking permitted within 20 feet of a spray painting operation to a lack of eye and foot protection and improper use or lack of the use of respirators. OSHA has cited the company numerous times since 1995 and Midwest has failed to correct identified hazards in spite of offers of free assistance through OSHA's consultation services. Midwest manufactures metal storage rack systems. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's area office in Peoria. 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) 693-7765 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. |
| NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only. |
|
OSHA News Release - (Archived) Table of Contents |