Region 5 News Release: 11-1473-CHI
Oct. 20, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4807
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Texas-based operator of Jiffy Lube in
Arlington Heights, Ill., for repeated slip and fall hazards, other violations

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Heartland Automotive Services Inc., the operator of a Jiffy Lube oil changing facility in Arlington Heights, for failing to keep floors dry to prevent employees from falling and other hazards. Proposed penalties total $52,700.

One repeat violation was cited for failing to maintain dry floors and allowing floors to be slick from oil and water accumulation, which created slip and fall hazards. 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. Heartland Automotive Services was cited for this violation in January 2011 at a Kansas City, Kan., facility.

"Employers who are cited for repeat violations demonstrate a lack of commitment to workplace safety and health," said Diane Turek, director of OSHA's Chicago North Area Office in Des Plaines. "The responsibility to maintain safe working environments belongs to employers, but OSHA is committed to protecting workers when employers fail in that responsibility."

Serious violations involve failing to evaluate the workplace for hazards that necessitated the use of personal protective equipment, guard exposed electrical components, provide a written hazard communication program, list and label containers of hazardous chemicals, and train workers on hazards and safety precautions. 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.

Other-than-serious violations were cited for improper record keeping and for missing knockouts on electrical boxes. 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.

Heartland Automotive Services has corporate headquarters in Irving, Texas, and operates more than 400 Jiffy Lube franchises around the country. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and 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 Chicago North office at 847-803-4800.

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.