Region 6 News Release: 12-808-DAL
May 8, 2012
Contact: Elizabeth Todd Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Utah-based auto body parts supplier
for safety violations following worker fatality at San Antonio facility

SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Salt Lake City, Utah-based CertiFit Inc. for nine serious safety violations at the company's facility in San Antonio on Northeast Loop 410. OSHA's San Antonio Area Office initiated an inspection on Jan. 3 after an employee was killed when a delivery truck backed into a loading dock while the worker was preparing the dock for the delivery.

OSHA found that the company failed to ensure that a trained and competent person is present who can administer first aid, provide training on evacuation procedures in the event of a fire, repair and maintain electrical equipment and rolling ladders, ensure that ladders are used correctly and properly mount fire extinguishers. 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.

"Serious violations compromise worker safety," said Jeff Funke, the OSHA's area director in San Antonio. "It is inexcusable that an employee's life was lost because the employer failed to provide a safe and healthful working environment."

Proposed penalties total $46,000. The auto body parts supplier, which employs about seven workers at the San Antonio facility, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's San Antonio area director or contest the citations and 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 San Antonio office at 210-472-5040.

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 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.