Region 9 News Release: 13-1021-SAN (SF-68)
May 30, 2013
Contact: Deanne Amaden Jose A. Carnevali
Phone: 415-625-2630 415-625-2631
Email: amaden.deanne@dol.gov carnevali.jose@dol.gov

Hawaii resort cited with 14 safety and health violations
US Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $48,000 in fines

HONOLULU — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the Kauai Beach Resort in Lihue with 14 violations of workplace safety and health standards, including nine serious. The hotel faces $48,000 in proposed fines following a routine inspection by OSHA's Honolulu Area Office.

The nine serious violations involve failure to safely and properly store and label propane tanks; electrical wiring deficiencies; unsafe electrical work practices by untrained maintenance personnel; and inadequate assessment and use of personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection and equipment necessary to protect workers from electrical hazards. The incorrect use of flexible cords as substitutes for fixed wiring, exposure to energized parts and failure to ensure only qualified personnel worked on energized circuits were also identified as serious violations during the inspection. 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.

"Hotel employers must make safety a top priority for workers by recognizing such basic occupational hazards and doing what is needed and required to mitigate risks," said Galen Lemke, director of OSHA's Honolulu Area Office. "Hospitality begins with the well-being of those who provide it to hotel guests."

The employer was also cited for five other-than-serious violations, including failure to accurately complete OSHA's log of recordable work-related 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.

OSHA conducted the inspection on February 14 under a local emphasis program for hotels. The Kauai Beach Resort in Lihue employs more than 270 workers. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's area director or contest the findings to 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 Honolulu office at 808-541-2680.

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.

###

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 302-693-7828 or TTY 302-693-7755.