Region 4 News Release: 10-1114-ATL (491)
Aug. 24, 2010
Contact: Michael D'Aquino
Email: D'Aquino.Michael@dol.gov
Phone: 404-562-2076

Gun range in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., cited by US Department of Labor's
OSHA for health violations with $62,000 in penalties

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ¿ The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed $62,000 in penalties against Guns and Knives Inc., a gun range in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., for exposing workers to alleged health violations.

The company is being cited with one serious violation for failure-to-abate with a proposed penalty of $60,000. In June, an inspection revealed that the company failed to provide blood monitoring every six months for workers exposed to high levels of lead concentrations, after the same hazard had been cited in an earlier inspection.

The employer is also being cited with a second serious violation with a proposed penalty of $2,000 for failing to fit-test workers issued respirators. OSHA inspectors observed workers wearing a half-mask respirator while they were cleaning the gun range traps, which exposed them to high levels of lead. An OSHA violation is serious if death or serious physical harm can result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists.

"This employer has demonstrated disregard for workers' safety and health by not providing the appropriate equipment and monitoring to protect them while cleaning traps that become contaminated with lead," said Darlene Fossum, OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's area office, 1000 South Pine Island Road, Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33324; telephone 954-424-0242. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.

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 assure 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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