OSHA issued $73,449 in penalties to Columbia Export Terminal, LLC., in Portland for exposing employees to fall hazards by failing to provide proper guardrail or personal fall arrest systems for walking-working surfaces.

Grain Handling Company Cited for Safety Hazards





OSHA issued $73,449 in penalties to Columbia Export Terminal, LLC., in Portland for exposing employees to fall hazards by failing to provide proper guardrail or personal fall arrest systems for walking-working surfaces. 

The company also failed to guard ladder access areas with fall protection and did not properly control hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) in the grain handling facility. OSHA issued nine serious and three other-than-serious citations to the company.

Virginia OSHA cited Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia, LLC., in Salem for safety violations that led to a worker being severely injured.

Virginia Cites Tire Company for Safety Violations That Resulted in Amputation



Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) cited Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Virginia, LLC., in Salem for safety violations that led to a worker being severely injured. 

Inspectors determined that the company failed to provide adequate machine guarding and ensure that proper safety precautions were followed. The company was previously cited for the same violation in 2016. VOSH issued one serious and one repeat-serious citation following this latest inspection, and issued $42,000 in penalties

OSHA cited Dustcom Limited Inc. for failing to protect its employees from trench collapse hazards. The Garden City construction company faces proposed penalties of $130,552.

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Georgia Contractor for Trenching Hazards
and Proposes $130,552 in Penalties

SAVANNAH, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Dustcom Limited Inc. for failing to protect its employees from trench collapse hazards. The Garden City construction company faces proposed penalties of $130,552.

OSHA inspectors observed employees installing water lines in an unprotected trench. Following an investigation, OSHA cited the company for exposing employees to cave-in hazards; failing to appoint a competent person to ensure the use of cave-in protection; using a damaged ladder for entering and exiting a trench; and failing to place a soil pile at least 24 inches from the edge of the excavation.

“Excavations without cave-in protection are life threatening for the employees who work in them,” said OSHA Area Director Margo Westmoreland, in Savannah. “Employers must ensure that proper safeguards are in place to prevent putting workers at risk.”

The inspection was initiated as part of the Agency’s national emphasis program on trenching.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference, 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 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.

OSHA cited US Environmental Inc. for 12 safety violations, including willfully exposing workers to confined space and fall hazards at its Downingtown location. The company faces proposed penalties of $333,756.

Nov. 29, 2017

U.S. Department of Labor Fines US Environmental Inc. for Safety Violations
and Proposes Penalties Totaling $333,756

DOWNINGTOWN, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited US Environmental Inc. for 12 safety violations, including willfully exposing workers to confined space and fall hazards at its Downingtown location. The company faces proposed penalties of $333,756.

Investigators inspected the facility on May 31, 2017, and found that the company failed to implement rescue procedures for employees in confined spaces; provide protective equipment when working in confined spaces; and provide employees with fall protection training and equipment. OSHA cited the company for one other-than-serious, four willful, and seven serious violations.

“It is fortunate that workers did not suffer serious injuries or worse,” said OSHA Area Office Director Theresa Downs, based in Philadelphia. “Employers must follow appropriate atmospheric testing procedures, and provide adequate training and safety equipment to protect workers from potential confined space hazards.”

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its 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 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 www.osha.gov.

OSHA cited Manafort Brothers, Inc. and fined it $329,548 for exposing workers to mercury and respirator hazards while they dismantled a mercury boiler at the Schiller Station power plant in Portsmouth, NH

OSHA Cites Connecticut Contractor for Mercury and Respirator
Hazards at New Hampshire Demolition Site

CONCORD, NH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Manafort Brothers, Inc. for exposing workers to mercury and respirator hazards while they dismantled a mercury boiler at a Portsmouth worksite. The Plainville, Connecticut, construction contractor faces penalties of $329,548.

OSHA’s inspection – in response to workers’ complaints – found that employees were being exposed to high levels of mercury during the demolition and Manafort Brothers Inc. was not taking steps to reduce those exposures to below permissible levels. In addition, the company did not evaluate the respirator program’s effectiveness in protecting workers against exposures and did not consult with the employees to identify and correct any respirator problems.

“These hazards were certainly preventable,” said OSHA’s New Hampshire Area Director Rosemarie O. Cole. “High mercury exposure can result in permanent nervous system and kidney damage. It is critically important that employers remain vigilant and ensure that effective safeguards are in place to prevent and minimize workers’ exposures.”

In total, OSHA cited the company for two willful and six serious violations concerning mercury, respirators, protective clothing, and sanitary conditions.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and 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 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 www.osha.gov.



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PLAINVILLE, Conn. (WTNH)–The Plainville-based Manafort Brothers construction company has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor for exposing workers to mercury and respirator hazards.

The company was founded by former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort‘s grandfather. Manafort was indicted on charges related to conspiracy against the United States as part of the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.


The exposure happened while workers dismantled a mercury boiler at a Portsmouth, New Hampshire work site, according to a release from the Department of Labor.

The company was cited with two willful and six serious violations concerning mercury. respirators, protective clothing, and sanitary conditions.

The company has 15 business days to respond to the citation.




From Manafort Brothers, Inc. web pages:


Manafort is the oldest demolition contractor in the Northeast and is highly rated nationwide by Engineering News-Record. We excel at the most difficult demolitions… those requiring expertise and highly-specialized equipment.

Among the work we perform are complete removals, implosions, interior strip-outs, and 24-hour emergency responses. We are one of the few companies ever contracted to completely decommission and dismantle a nuclear power plant.

Our project list includes Boston 's 23-story Madison Hotel , Hartford 's first skyscraper, and the World Trade Center site in New York .

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A Connecticut construction company faces $330,000 in fines after federal officials found its workers were exposed to mercury at a job site in Portsmouth earlier this year.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, says Manafort Brothers, Inc., failed to protect its workers from repeated exposures to high levels of mercury.

A Manafort worker reported to OSHA in June they'd been exposed to mercury on the job at 400 Gosling Road in Portsmouth – the address of the Schiller Station power plant.

OSHA says workers were exposed continuously while dismantling mercury boilers and other equipment there. In one eight-hour period, the citation says, says workers were exposed to as much as 17 times the legal limit of mercury.

The heavy metal can cause permanent nervous system and kidney damage.

Manafort Brothers, Inc., is run by relatives of former Donald Trump campaign advisor Paul Manafort. The company has 15 days to pay the fine.

Marshall Pottery, Inc.,agreed to pay OSHA a penalty of $545,160, after the roasting-like-clay-pot death of assistant plant manager, Arturo Gonzalez, who was servicing a kiln and became trapped inside when it activated

Arturo Gonzalez, roasted to death inside the Marshall Pottery kiln in deadly Texas

Nov. 28, 2017

U.S. Department of Labor and Pottery Manufacturer
Reach Settlement Agreement Following Worker Fatality

MARSHALL, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Marshall Pottery, Inc., have reached a settlement agreement including a penalty of $545,160, after the death of an assistant plant manager.

On April 16, 2017, investigators determined that the manager was servicing a kiln and became trapped inside when it activated. The company was cited for six willful violations and 21 serious violations. Citations were issued following OSHA’s investigation into failures to implement confined space and lockout/tagout programs.

“This company was cited for similar violations in 2008 after another fatality at the plant,” said OSHA Area Director Basil Singh, in Dallas. “Failures to implement lockout/tagout and confined space programs are unacceptable. Employers must use all required safeguards and procedures to prevent the recurrence of similar tragedies.”

The company had 15 business days from receipt of its citations and 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. Upon receipt of the citations and penalties, the company scheduled an informal conference with the OSHA area director. At the meeting, OSHA and the company reached a settlement. As part of the settlement, the company also agreed to abate the violations.

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.

====================








OSHA and Marshall Pottery have reached a settlement agreement following the Easter Sunday death of Marshall Pottery assistant plant manager Arturo Gonzalez who died on the job after becoming trapped inside of a 300-foot kiln.

The machine superheats the clay pots as part of the production process.

"On April 16, 2017, investigators determined that the manager was servicing a kiln and became trapped inside when it activated," OSHA officials said Tuesday in a press release. "The company was cited for six willful violations and 21 serious violations. Citations were issued following OSHA's investigation into failures to implement confined space and lockout/tagout programs."

As part of the settlement, Marshall Pottery agreed to pay a penalty of $545,160. Basil Singh, OSHA area director in Dallas, said the company's failure to implement lockout/tagout and confined space programs was unacceptable.

"This company was cited for similar violations in 2008 after another fatality at the plant," Singh said, referring to the 2008 death of 33-year-old Frederick Beham, also a supervisor at the plant, who was found crushed to death inside of a dryer on July 3, 2008, after attempting to perform maintenance.

"Employers must use all required safeguards and procedures to prevent the recurrence of similar tragedies," Singh said.

Following Arturo's death this spring, OSHA gave Marshall Pottery 15 business days from receipt of its citations and 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, OSHA officials said.

"Upon receipt of the citations and penalties, the company scheduled an informal conference with the OSHA area director," officials indicated. "At the meeting, OSHA and the company reached a settlement. As part of the settlement, the company also agreed to abate the violations."

The two inspection reports, totaling 39 violations, are listed here and here. OSHA is a branch of the United States Department of Labor that enforces standards and provides training to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.

Marshall Pottery notified OSHA about Gonzalez's death at the time of the incident, as required by law.

The company expressed its gratitude to OSHA on Oct. 24, during an informal conference with the OSHA area director.

"At that time, Marshall Pottery conveyed its gratitude to OSHA for the comprehensiveness of the OSHA investigation and the significant investment of time and resources that OSHA's investigating officers and directors afforded Marshall Pottery," a statement emailed to the News Messenger by Marshall Pottery's HR Manager Morris Jones, on behalf of the company, read. "Marshall Pottery also presented OSHA with extensive documentation that evidenced Marshall Pottery's abatement of the hazards that were identified during the investigations, and documentation evidencing the implementation and enforcement of a comprehensive and energetic safety program. Marshall Pottery then entered into a settlement agreement with OSHA that called for a significant reduction of the proposed penalties."

Besides OSHA's informal investigation, Marshall Pottery also conducted a comprehensive internal investigation as result of the tragic industrial accident.

"These investigations took place over the course of several months and identified areas in which improvements were necessary," Marshall Pottery officials said of both the company and OSHA's investigations. "At the conclusion of the initial investigations, and prior to restarting operations, Marshall Pottery worked with teams of safety professionals and contractors to make all of the improvements that were identified as necessary.

"Marshall Pottery also provided comprehensive safety-related training to its representatives and employees. Marshall Pottery proceeded to an informal conference with the OSHA Area Director on Oct. 24."

Marshall Pottery officials said the facility, which has been a part of the East Texas community for more than 100 years, has the distinction of being the largest manufacturer of terra cotta pottery in the country. The company described Arturo as someone who was a cherished and invaluable member of its team and has expressed remorse for the tragic death.

"Marshall Pottery is more committed than ever to providing its employees with a place of employment that is free of hazards," Marshall Pottery's statement indicated.

Arturo was found dead inside of the kiln the morning of April 17 after entering the kiln the evening before, to perform maintenance. The cause of death, according to his autopsy report was accidental "environmental hyperthermia."

In May, following his death, Gonzalez's family filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit in the 71st Judicial District Court, accusing the business of not having safety protocols in place to protect employees, who are often required to perform maintenance on machines.

"While Mr. Gonzalez was inside the kiln, the automated system suddenly, and without warning, closed the kiln doors behind him, the chamber began heating and Mr. Gonzalez was killed," the lawsuit states.

Gonzalez, a husband and father of three children, had worked at the facility for the past 11 years. He was 42 years old.

Two car thieves critically injured, after a speeding, stolen 1999 GMC Yukon crashes onto a utility pole in Shamong Township

SHAMONG TWP., N.J. (WPVI) --

An SUV was wrapped around a utility pole following a crash in Burlington County, New Jersey.

The crash happened around 12 p.m. at Flyatt and Caranza roads in Shamong Township.

The view from Chopper 6 showed the GMC at rest with the cabin of the vehicle crushed against the utility pole.

It also appears the vehicle may have caught fire after the crash.

There was no immediate word on the circumstances of this incident, or any word on injuries.



==================



SHAMONG - New Jersey State Police are investigating a crash here that followed a report of a stolen vehicle.

The accident occurred shortly after noon on Route 206 at Hampton Road in Shamong, according to State Police Lt. Theodore Shafer.

The vehicle, a 1999 GMC Yukon reported stolen from Shamong, struck a utility pole, he said.

Conditions were not available for two people removed from the vehicle, said Shafer.  Based on the massive damage and fire to the vehicle, we have no high hopes for the survival of this trash.  Hopefully the two thieves are dead, so that they do not do this again.

Shafer said the crash occurred shortly after a state trooper attempted to stop the vehicle on northbound 206.

"At this point, I don't know if it was a pursuit," Shafer said of the circumstances leading to the crash. He noted the incident remained under investigation.

SPEED KILLS: At least six people were killed, dozens injured, when a speeding Amtrak train derailed just before 8 a.m. Monday at a railroad bridge in Washington state. The train was making its first run as part of a higher speed service that local authorities had warned could be dangerous.

Most likely, the train was going too fast to accommodate the curve as it was entering the railroad bridge.

American greedy capitalism at work: refuse to fix the train infrastructure and instead, speed up the trains on the old rail lines.  Brilliant!  Just Brilliant!

TACOMA, Washington (WABC) --

At least six people were killed when an Amtrak train derailed just before 8 a.m. Monday in Washington state, according to a U.S. official who stressed to the Associated Press that the death count is expected to rise.

Pierce County Sheriff spokesman Ed Troyer earlier confirmed multiple fatalities after the train derailed near Tacoma, about 40 miles south of Seattle, spilling at least one train car on to busy Interstate 5.

The Pierce County Sheriff's office said no one was killed in cars that were struck.



Amtrak says approximately 78 passengers and five crew members on board train 501, offering service from Seattle to Portland.

Amtrak said individuals with questions about their friends and family on train 501 should call 800-523-9101.



There was no immediate word on why the train left the tracks.

Chris Karnes was on the train Amtrak train that derailed south of Seattle, three or four cars back from the front. He told The Associated Press in a brief phone interview Monday morning that he was "not sure what got hit."

He was unhurt and is now near the medical tents set up in a median area between north- and sound-bound Interstate 5, just south of DuPont, Washington.

"The only car that is on the tracks is the rear locomotive," he said. "There are several cars that are hanging over the overpass."

The train was making its first run as part of a higher speed service that local authorities had warned could be dangerous.
Transitdocs.com, a website that maps Amtrak train locations and speeds using data from the railroad's train tracker app, says Train 501 was going 81.1 mph moments before the derailment Monday.



The state Department of Transportation posted information about the $180.7 million project online that says the maximum speed along that stretch of track is 79 mph.

The new route was designed to speed up service by removing passenger trains from a route along Puget Sound that's bogged down by curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

The mayor of Lakewood, Washington, a city along the route, predicted a deadly crash. But Don Anderson thought it'd involve a fast-moving train hitting a car or pedestrian at a crossing.

President Trump opened his national security speech on Monday afternoon by talking about the accident.

"Let me begin by expressing our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers for the victims of the train derailment in Washington state. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities," Trump said. "It is all the more reason why we must start immediately fixing the infrastructure of the United States."

THE BLOOD OF THE HISPANICS: Samuel Martinez, 62, of Canton died Saturday evening after getting caught in the waste auger at the Fresh Mark meat-processing plant

Investigators said the victim's leg became caught in a piece of machinery causing fatal injuries.

CANTON, OH -

 A man died Saturday evening after getting caught in a machine at the Fresh Mark meat-processing plant.

Dr. Anthony Bertin, Stark County Coroner, pronounced Samuel Martinez, 62, of Canton, dead at the scene.

Martinez was a Guatemalan national.

The Canton Fire Department was called to the Fresh Mark plant at 1600 Harmont Ave. NE at 4:46 p.m.

Rick Walters, an investigator for the Coroner’s Office, said Martinez stepped into a chute and got caught in a waste auger. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday morning.

Fresh Mark provided a statement Saturday night: “This afternoon just before 5 p.m., we experienced a work-related fatality at our Canton facility. Our primary concern rests with the well-being of this employee’s family, as well as with the safety and well-being of all our employees in the Canton and other Fresh Mark facilities. We are working with authorities to determine the facts regarding this incident.”

This is at least the second worker to die at the company’s Canton plant.

In 2011, a worker at Fresh Mark’s Canton plant was electrocuted when he tried to plug in a fan while standing in water, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

According to a company spokesperson in 2011, it was the first work-related death at the plant since it opened in 1976.


Fresh Mark sells ham, bacon, lunch meat, pepperoni and hot dogs under the Superior’s and Sugardale brands.


Hispanics die at much higher rate than the labor participation rate.  The companies take advantage of their immigration status, they provide very little if any training, safety, etc.  And these poor bastards turn into sausages, like this fellow, Samuel Martinez.  And then we have these m..f..ing Republicans blaming the poor immigrants for the issues in our society. 
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CANTON, Ohio - Canton police have confirmed to Fox 8 that an employee at the Fresh Mark plant was killed Saturday in what they are terming an "industrial accident."

Sergeant T. Robers of the Canton police department says that the call came in at 5:07 p.m. to the facility on Harmont Avenue. A male employee died in the accident.

No further information was available right away, as detectives and the county coroner were still on the scene.

According to its website, Fresh Mark, Inc., has been producing American-made bacon, ham, hot dogs and deli meats for nearly 100 years. It serves grocery stores, restaurants, and food service companies in the United States and internationally. The company was founded in 1920 and is headquartered in Massillon.

This is a developing story. Fox 8 will have more details as they become available.
=======================

Ohio Meat Processing Worker Killed After Becoming “Caught In Machine” 

December 17, 2017

Samuel Martinez, a worker at Fresh Mark meat processing plant in northeast Ohio, has been killed after becoming caught in a machine, say authorities.

Martinez, 62, of Canton, was killed Saturday afternoon at the plant located in Canton. The Stark County Coroner’s Office has identified the worker as a “Guatemalan national.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.


A coroner’s investigator says Martinez stepped into a chute and got caught in a waste auger. Fresh Mark said in a statement Saturday that company officials are working with authorities to determine what happened. 

A worker died at the same plant in 2011 after being electrocuted as he try and plug in a fan while standing in water.



A worker at the plant was electrocuted in 2011 when he tried to plug in a fan while standing in water.



Fresh Mark sells ham, bacon, hot dogs and lunch meat under the Superior’s and Sugardale brands.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends at this difficult time.