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Cranesville Block Co. Fined $45,500 for Safety and Health Hazards

By Paul Napoli

February 25, 2010

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $45,500 in fines for alleged repeat and serious violations of safety and health standards at the Kingston, NY plant of Cranesville Block Co.

OSHA, responding to employee complaints, 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 company received two repeat citations and $27,500 in fines for the lack of personal protective equipment and the unlabeled containers of chemicals. OSHA issued six serious citations for the remaining hazards with $18,000 in fines. The agency issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.

"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."

Cranesville Block Co. has a history of violations, OSHA cited the company for similar hazards at its Fishkill and Glens Falls, NY locations in 2009.

"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 Co. must comply, contest or participate in an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission within 15 days.

Many factors must be taken into consideration when determining if a worker's injury or death was the result of negligence, equipment failure or dangerous working conditions. If you have been injured while on the job, you may be entitled to compensation such as medical expenses and lost wages or the funeral expenses, lost prospect of receiving an inheritance and the loss of financial support for the personal injury or wrongful death of a loved one while on the job. At Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP we are experienced in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. We know that dealing with the death of a loved one is difficult. Contact us to discuss what you can do to recover for the loss call 888-529-4669 or visit www.NBRLawFirm.com today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Full post as published by New York City Personal Injury Lawyer on February 25, 2010 (boomark / email).