Employment Law News

U.S. Labor Department Cites Dover, Ohio, Pallet Manufacturer For Safety Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $157,200 in fines against Inca Presswood Pallets Ltd of Dover, following the death of an employee in September 2006, for alleged multiple willful and serious violations of federal workplace safety standards.

OSHA opened an investigation after receiving notification that an employee was crushed while servicing a hydraulic press that had been disabled but not protected against accidental energizing by locking out potentially hazardous energy sources. OSHA issued four willful citations with proposed penalties totaling $126,000, alleging that the company failed to control potentially hazardous energy during machine repair or maintenance, adequately train employees on energy control procedures, and establish an energy control procedure.

"Taking certain safety steps with regard to hazardous energy sources, in circumstances such as this one, can make all the difference in preventing fatalities and serious injuries," said Deborah Zubaty, director of OSHA's area office in Columbus, Ohio. "It should not have been difficult to recognize the hazard and prevent this occurrence." Read more at osha.gov.

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	Did You Know?
	About at will employment In certain states, employers do not have the right to terminate employees "at will" if the termination violates public policy, an implied employment contract, or an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.