Region 3 News Release: 12-110-PHI (osha 12-012)
Jan. 30, 2012
Contact: Leni Fortson Joanna Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5102 215-861-5101
Email: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Scranton, Pa., tire company
for repeatedly exposing employees to workplace safety hazards

SCRANTON, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Scranton Dunlop Inc., doing business as Sandone Tire, for 19 ¿ including four repeat ¿ safety violations at its Scranton facility. OSHA initiated an inspection as part of the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program for industries with high injury and illness rates. Proposed penalties total $58,800.

The repeat violations with $26,600 in penalties include failing to ensure that open-sided floors and/or platforms 4 feet or higher above the ground were guarded with standard railings and toe boards; ensure that employees were able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools or special knowledge; properly guard pulleys with parts 7 feet or lower from the floor or work platform; properly guard horizontal belts; provide proper covers for all pull boxes and fittings; and install face plates for snap switches mounted in boxes. The company was cited for the same violations in 2008. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

"By failing to correct these hazards, Scranton Dunlop continues to leave workers vulnerable to the risk of serious injuries and possible death," said Mark Stelmack, OSHA's area director in Wilkes Barre. "Employers have a legal responsibility to provide employees with safe and healthful workplaces."

Eleven serious violations with $32,200 in penalties involve failing to provide railings and other guards for stairways, provide intermediate railings in other areas, provide water sprinklers for a paint spray booth, make portable fire extinguishers available and accessible, train workers on using fire extinguishers and forklifts, correct a variety of electrical hazards, inspect powered industrial trucks, secure lifted loads, and separate oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Four other-than-serious violations with no penalties involve uncovered floor holes, substandard exit signs, an inadequate inspection of the energy control program and unlabeled hazardous chemical containers. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

Sandone Tire, which employs about 75 workers, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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 Wilkes Barre Area Office at 570-826-6538.

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, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.