Region 5 News Release: 13-550-CHI
April 2, 2013
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Scenic Wood Products for 20
safety violations at Sugarcreek, Ohio, pallet manufacturing plant

SUGARCREEK, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Scenic Wood Products for 20 serious safety violations at its pallet manufacturing facility in Sugarcreek. OSHA has proposed penalties of $64,400 after opening a January inspection under the Site Specific Targeting Program, which directs enforcement resources to workplaces where the highest rates of injuries and illnesses occur.

"Scenic Wood Products has a responsibility to recognize the hazards that exist in its workplace and ensure workers are properly trained in the safe operation and maintenance of required equipment," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus. "Employers are also responsible for ensuring workers are provided with personal protective equipment to guard against known hazards in the workplace."

The serious safety violations cited include failing to have adequate machine guarding and personal protective equipment; provide fall protection for workers conducting maintenance operations on unguarded platforms and on the roof; conduct annual periodic inspections and reviews of lockout/tagout procedures; and provide fire extinguisher and forklift operator refresher training. Three of the violations regard electrical safety practices, including not providing or requiring proper personal protective equipment for workers performing live electrical work or conducting a flash hazard analysis and training workers on electrical safety hazards. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

In addition to the SST program, OSHA implements both national and local emphasis inspection programs, which include programmed inspections, to target high-risk hazards and industries. OSHA currently has 11 National Emphasis Programs that intensify inspections on hazards or industries, such as lead, silica, shipbreaking, trenching/excavations and process safety management, and approximately 140 Regional and Local Emphasis Programs.

This OSHA inspection is the fourth on the company since 2011. Scenic Wood Products has 15 days from receipt of the citation and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings 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 Columbus Area Office at 614-469-5582.

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 or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7830 or TTY 202-693-7755.