Region 6 News Release: 11-726-DAL
May 19, 2011
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 Shawnee, Okla.,
milling company $146,000 for 25 serious workplace violations

SHAWNEE, Okla. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Shawnee Milling Co. with 25 alleged serious violations following an inspection at the company's facility in Shawnee that found multiple safety and health hazards. Proposed penalties total $146,000.

"An employer's failure to effectively implement OSHA's regulations exposes workers to potential hazards that could lead to serious injuries or death. Such safety and health violations will not be tolerated," said David Bates, OSHA's area director in Oklahoma City.

OSHA's Oklahoma City Area Office began its investigation Nov. 23, 2010, at the company's facility on South Broadway Street. About 276 workers produce consumer products such as flour, cornmeal and animal feed at the facility.

The violations include failing to properly reclassify confined spaces from permit-required to non-permit-required, to have the mandatory confined space entry permits, to provide adequate respirators to employees for emergency evacuation in the event of toxic chemical release, to provide an adequate lockout/tagout program of energy sources and to provide required machine guarding. 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.

Shawnee Milling has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Oklahoma City or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Oklahoma City Area Office at 405-278-9560 or the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) to report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers.

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.