OSHA cites sanitation company for 10 alleged violations

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/BREAKING03/80414050

April 14, 2008

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited DCS Sanitation Management Inc. for 10 alleged violations of federal safety and health standards following the Oct. 12, 2007, death of an employee at a Springfield poultry processing facility.

While working to sanitize poultry processing equipment, an employee of Cincinnati-based DCS Sanitation Management was electrocuted when the equipment’s conductive surface became energized.

“Our inspection revealed multiple violations of OSHA’s electrical standards,” said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA’s regional administrator in Kansas City. “It is imperative that employers remain committed to keeping the workplace safe at all times.”

An alleged willful violation addresses hazards associated with the company’s failure to ensure employees are removed from equipment hazard areas, all tools are removed and equipment is operationally intact prior to its release from lockout/tagout safeguards and employee use.

Lockout/tagout refers to preventing accidental start-up of machinery during maintenance.

Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations.

FULL story at link.