Illinois-based Hoist Liftruck Cited for 25 Safety and Health Violations

Bedford Park, IL (WorkersCompensation.com) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Hoist Liftruck Mfg. Inc. in Bedford Park with 25 safety and health - including four repeat - violations. A safety inspection was opened in April and a health inspection was opened in May under OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which directs enforcement resources to workplaces with high injury and illness rates. Proposed fines total $82,170.

The repeat violations involve failing to implement a hearing conservation program, provide welding curtains, and conduct fit testing and medical evaluations for workers required to wear respirators. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. Similar violations were cited in 2007.

"Hoist Liftruck is failing to protect the health and safety of its workers by allowing previously cited deficiencies to continue without correction," said Gary Anderson, OSHA's area director in Calumet City. "Providing hearing and respiratory protection is vital to the long-term safety and health of workers. OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job."

Eighteen serious safety violations involve failing to develop and implement a confined space program, train forklift drivers and evaluate them every three years, properly store flammable containers, provide personal protective equipment and adequately train workers on hazard communication. 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 exists.

Three other-than-serious violations involve failing to inspect forklifts prior to use, repair damaged floors and provide employees with information on OSHA's respirator standard. 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.

Hoist Liftruck, which manufactures and markets fork lifts and similar vehicles, employs about 150 workers at its Bedford Park facility. 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.

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