Region 6 News Release: DOL-OSHA-10-1707-DAL
Dec. 9, 2010
Contact: Elizabeth Todd Juan Rodriguez
E-mail: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709

US Department of Labor's OSHA fines Texas Linen in Austin, Texas,
more than $126,000 for fall hazards and repeat violations

AUSTIN, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued Texas Linen Co. Ltd. five serious and 15 repeat citations following a safety and health inspection at the company's facility in Austin. Proposed penalties total $126,400.

"This is not the first time this company has exposed its employees to workplace hazards," said Casey Perkins, OSHA's area director in Austin. "OSHA's safety and health standards must be followed to prevent injuries and accidents."

OSHA began its inspection June 10 at the company's worksite on Smith Road and found employees operating a forklift without wearing a seat belt, as well as wet floors in passageways, aisles and laundry work areas.

OSHA issued serious citations alleging a failure to provide fall protection for employees working at an elevation of 16 feet; to provide an adequate number of locks and enforce lockout procedures during machine servicing to prevent injuries from unexpected re-start of machines and equipment; and to ensure a fiberglass ladder was set up and used correctly. A serious citation is issued 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.

Repeat citations were issued alleging a failure to keep flooring dry; cover floor holes; provide machine guards for rotating parts, points of operation, and sprockets and chains; provide illuminated exit signs and clear exit access; provide properly identified locks for machine servicing; and provide working and easily accessible portable fire extinguishers. A repeat citation is issued 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.

In 2008, the company was fined more than $150,000 and cited for more than 40 safety and health violations at this same location, including a willful citation for not providing Hepatitis B vaccinations to employees within 10 days of being assigned to handle soiled health care linens.

Texas Linen Co., an industrial processing facility, has 15 business days from receipt of the latest citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Austin, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call the agency's Austin Area Office at 512-374-0271 or OSHA'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 assure 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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