OSHA Cites For Serious Violations After Domino Effect Of Injuries

Atlanta, GA (WorkersCompensation.com) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited LKQ Corp. in Jenkinsburg for three safety violations. OSHA opened an inspection after receiving a complaint in November 2011 that an automobile being worked on fell off a lift and landed on top of an employee, who consequently suffered a broken hip and internal injuries.

One willful violation is exposing workers to being struck by falling vehicles. OSHA found that, prior to the incident, an independent contractor had verified that the lifts were improperly modified and told the employer to discontinue use until they were properly repaired or replaced. This violation carries a $70,000 penalty. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

Two serious violations with $8,000 in penalties include exposing workers to corrosive chemical products without providing a suitable eye wash station and failing to install handrails on a stairway. 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.

"Although the employer knew workers were being put in harm's way and at risk of serious injury or death, the lifts were kept in use," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. "This type of negligence and disregard for worker safety is unacceptable."

Headquartered in Chicago, LKQ Corp. recycles used auto parts and has locations throughout the United States.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Atlanta-East office at 770-493-6644.

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