From osha.gov

Region 9 News Release: 10-289-SAN (SF-54)
March 11, 2010 (Pacific Standard Time)
Contact: Deanne Amaden
Phone: 415-625-2630
E-mail: amaden.deanne@dol.gov

US Department of Labor’s OSHA assesses Guam contractor Hua Sheng $139,500 for hazardous conditions at barracks, worksite

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Hua Sheng International Group Corp. in Barrigada, Guam, for $139,500 in proposed penalties for hazardous working and living conditions at a jobsite and barracks in Harmon, Guam.

“The failure of employers to provide clean water to workers they are required to house can lead to serious infections and dehydration,” said Ken Nishiyama Atha, OSHA’s regional administrator in San Francisco. “We are vigorously enforcing the standards for adequate housing and safety for all workers, including H-2B temporary workers, especially as construction and other industries ramp up in support of the planned relocation of Marine Corps personnel and their dependents from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam.

OSHA has cited the company for one alleged willful violation and 28 alleged serious violations. The willful violation is for failing to provide workers with an adequate water supply for drinking, cooking, bathing, flushing and laundry. The proposed penalty for the willful violation is $70,000. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.

The serious violations are for safety and health hazards related to poor living conditions at the employees’ barracks as well as at the worksite. Some include failing to maintain the fire alarm system; maintain toilet rooms in sanitary condition; install cooking and heating equipment to meet local ordinances codes and regulations; provide proper food-handling facilities and garbage containers; and provide first aid facilities and maintain a trained first aid person. The proposed penalty for the serious violations is $69,500 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 cited this company six times in the two years prior to this inspection. Four of the inspections resulted in a total of nine serious violations.

Hua Sheng has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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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From osha.gov

US Labor Department’s OSHA cites Cranesville Block Co. for safety and health hazards at Kingston, NY, plant

Thurs., Feb. 18, 2010

ALBANY, N.Y. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $45,500 in fines against Cranesville Block Co. for alleged repeat and serious violations of safety and health standards at its Kingston, N.Y., plant.

The citations and fines follow OSHA safety and health inspections prompted by employee complaints, and concern chemical and electrical hazards and lack of personal protective equipment for workers. Specifically, OSHA found blocked exits, workers lacking safety glasses and gloves while working with acid, unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals, unmarked electrical equipment, exposed live electrical parts and moisture in electrical equipment.

“The serious and recurring nature of these hazards is disturbing,” said Edward Jerome, OSHA’s area director in Albany. “Employees at this plant are exposed to the hazards of electrocution, burns, eye and hand injuries, and being unable to swiftly exit the workplace in the event of a fire or other emergency. This employer must address these hazards effectively and continually now and in the future.”

OSHA has issued the company two repeat citations, with $27,500 in fines, for the lack of personal protective equipment and the unlabeled containers of chemicals, as it had cited the company in 2009 for similar hazards at Cranesville Block’s Fishkill and Glens Falls, N.Y., locations.

The remaining hazardous conditions identified in Kingston resulted in the issuance of six serious citations, with $18,000 in fines. 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.

“One means of preventing recurring hazards is for employers to establish an effective comprehensive workplace safety and health program involving their workers in proactively evaluating, identifying and eliminating hazards,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York.

Cranesville Block has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, participate in an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA’s Albany Area Office; telephone 518-464-4338.

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.

Click here for more OSHA BUZZ

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