Region 10 News Release: # 06-2062-SEA (#06-111)
December 13, 2006
Contact: Jeannine Lupton
Phone: 206-553-7620

SEATTLE -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued failure-to-abate, repeat, serious and other-than-serious citations against Wheeler Logging Co., a contract timber harvesting company, for alleged safety violations found during inspections at the company's work sites in White Swan and Glenwood, Wash. The citations carry proposed penalties totaling $103,400.

The inspections were initiated as a follow-up to an OSHA fatality inspection conducted in 2005 that found numerous violations resulting in citations issued to Wheeler Logging Co. The company neither responded to the 2005 citations nor paid the previous penalties.

The failure-to-abate citation addresses separation and protection of fuel storage tanks. Violations cited in 2005 have not been corrected. The repeat citations were issued for failure to provide OSHA with copies of OSHA 300 and 301 forms for reporting injuries and accidents, and for failure to label containers of hazardous chemicals.

The serious citation alleges violations related to machine guarding, compressed gas cylinders, electrical hazards and hazard communication.

The other-than-serious citation alleges violations involving fire exits, fire extinguishers and electrical hazards.

Wheeler Logging Co. has 15 working days following receipt of the citations to contest the violations or request a meeting with OSHA to discuss the violation notices, including methods of correction, length of abatement periods and proposed penalties.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. The role of OSHA is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

U.S. Labor Department 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. The U.S. Department of Labor 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.