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Monday, March 02, 2009
OSHA proposes $41,000 in Fines Against Sauerkraut Manufacturer
OSHA has cited Great Lakes Sauerkraut Co. LLC with $41,400 in proposed fines following inspections conducted under OSHA's Site Specific Targeting Plan. The agency cited the Shortsville, N.Y., sauerkraut maker with 16 alleged serious violations of safety and health standards at its manufacturing facility.
"These citations encompass a cross-section of mechanical, electrical, fall, noise, confined space and other hazards that should have been addressed prior to the inspection," said Christopher Adams, OSHA's area director in Syracuse.
Specifically, OSHA's inspection found numerous instances of moving machine parts not guarded against accidental employee contact; lack of a hazardous energy control program, training and equipment to prevent the accidental startup of machinery; unguarded live electrical parts; improper storage of compressed gas cylinders; and fall hazards stemming from a lack of fall protection, inadequate ladder safety, uncovered floor openings and unguarded open-sided work platforms and stairways.
Additional hazards included the lack of a confined space training program for employees whose duties involve entering sauerkraut tanks; lack of a hearing conservation program for employees exposed to excessive noise levels; and lack of training in fire extinguisher use and hazards associated with incipient stage fire fighting.
"One way of helping ensure and maintain a safe and healthful workplace is through the establishment of an effective safety and health management system in which employees and management work together to proactively evaluate, identify and eliminate hazardous conditions," said Adams.
OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known. Great Lakes Sauerkraut has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply or contest them to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Syracuse Area Office; telephone 315-451-0808.
"These citations encompass a cross-section of mechanical, electrical, fall, noise, confined space and other hazards that should have been addressed prior to the inspection," said Christopher Adams, OSHA's area director in Syracuse.
Specifically, OSHA's inspection found numerous instances of moving machine parts not guarded against accidental employee contact; lack of a hazardous energy control program, training and equipment to prevent the accidental startup of machinery; unguarded live electrical parts; improper storage of compressed gas cylinders; and fall hazards stemming from a lack of fall protection, inadequate ladder safety, uncovered floor openings and unguarded open-sided work platforms and stairways.
Additional hazards included the lack of a confined space training program for employees whose duties involve entering sauerkraut tanks; lack of a hearing conservation program for employees exposed to excessive noise levels; and lack of training in fire extinguisher use and hazards associated with incipient stage fire fighting.
"One way of helping ensure and maintain a safe and healthful workplace is through the establishment of an effective safety and health management system in which employees and management work together to proactively evaluate, identify and eliminate hazardous conditions," said Adams.
OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known. Great Lakes Sauerkraut has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply or contest them to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Syracuse Area Office; telephone 315-451-0808.
Labels: OSHA Citations, osha information
posted by Steve Hudgik |
Workplace Safety Post 3 Comments |
3 Comments:
it is important that business are held responsible for these actions. To many people get sick these days because companies get lazy.
I have been in the safety industry for 10 years. It is shocking how many times companies have to have an accident before they will correct safety issues.
I have been in the safety industry for 10 years. It still surprises me how many companies wait until an employee gets hurt or killed before they take protecting their people seriously.
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