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National News Release:
Wednesday, June 9, 1999
Contact: Michael Fluharty(202) 693-1999

Background: Officials of LeMaster Steel Erectors, Inc. of Elkhart, Indiana, Tuesday (June 8, 1999) entered guilty pleas in the U.S. District Court for Southern Ohio, in connection with a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in July, 1998. The indictment charged the company and officials with obstruction of justice and willful violation of fall protection regulations at a construction site in Mason, Ohio, where an employee fell to his death in August, 1996.

"The guilty pleas by LeMaster Steel Erectors and two company officials that they made false statements to OSHA investigators about what caused the 1996 death of a worker in Mason, Ohio, brings this tragic case to a close.

"LeMaster officials ignored critical safety standards that would have provided fall protection for their workers. The situation was made worse by their false statements and efforts to alter the accident scene. This Administration will pursue and prosecute employers who make false statements about the causes of workplace accidents.

"OSHA standards are in place to provide workers with safe and healthful workplaces. We will do all we can to make sure workers are safe and don't have to risk their lives for their livelihoods."