Region 6 News Release: 11-1664-DAL
Nov. 23, 2011
Contact: Elizabeth Todd Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Euless, Texas, concrete recycling facility
for exposing workers to multiple safety and health violations

EULESS, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Congress Materials LLC for one other-than-serious and 12 serious safety and health violations at the company's work site on Mosier Valley Road in Euless. Proposed penalties total $41,300.

OSHA's Fort Worth Area Office initiated an inspection on June 3 in response to a complaint alleging unsafe working conditions at the concrete recycling facility. Inspectors found that employees were exposed to fall hazards, possible inhalation of silica particles while grinding concrete and shocks from poor electrical repairs.

The serious violations involve failing to repair broken railings on walkways to prevent falls, maintain and repair stairways and ladders, provide training on the use of respirators for employees exposed to dust created by concrete grinding, provide potable water, mount fire extinguishers, and properly splice and connect electrical cords. 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.

The other-than-serious violation is for failing to maintain the OSHA 300 log for recordable injuries and illnesses. 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.

"These workplace hazards identified during the investigation could easily lead to potential falls, electrical shocks and silicosis," said Jack Rector, OSHA's area director in Fort Worth. "OSHA's safety and health standards must be followed to prevent injuries and illnesses."

Congress Materials, which employs about 35 workers at its Euless location, has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's Fort Worth area director or contest the citations and proposed 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 Fort Worth Area Office at 817-581-7303.

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.