OSHA cites pallets, railings, manufacturer L&L Lumber of Huntsville, Alabama, for 26 health and safety violations after worksite inspection in response to complaint, proposes penalties of US$45,780

Wendy Lisney

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama , April 16, 2014 (press release) – L&L Lumber Co. Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 26 safety and health violations following an inspection at a work site in Huntsville. OSHA initiated the October 2013 inspection of the company’s facility after receiving a complaint concerning hazardous working conditions. The company makes lumber pallets and railings, and employs approximately 60 workers. Proposed penalties total $45,780.

"It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure all workers are protected, and this company failed to do that," said Ramona Morris, OSHA’s area director in Birmingham. "This employer has put its workers at risk of serious injury or death by exposing them to unguarded machinery, excessive noise and electrical shock."

Of the 26 violations cited, 15 were serious safety and health violations because the employer failed to guard dangerous equipment, which created amputation, laceration and struck-by hazards. The company also subjected its workers to noise in excess of the established limits. Additionally, the employer failed to outline the steps to control hazardous energy; allowed an industrial truck to be used that had an inoperable backup alarm and brake lights; and failed to cover electrical box openings.

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.

OSHA also cited the company for 11 other-than-serious citations, including the employer’s failure to provide training and information to workers exposed to wood dust, diesel fuel and lubricants. 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.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, preliminary data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries shows fatal work injuries in Alabama accounted for 81 of the 4,383 fatal work injuries reported in 2012.

Additional details are available at http://bls.gov/iif/home.htm.

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 Birmingham office at 205-731-1534.

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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