Unadilla, Georgia, recycling center exposes workers to falls, fire and amputation hazards

Employer name: Recycling Revolution LLC

Inspection site: 4190 Collins Rd., Unadilla, Georgia. 31091

Date inspection initiated: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated the November 12, 2014 inspection as part of its National Emphasis Program on Amputations.

Investigation findings:

OSHA issued 14 repeated and 12 serious citations to the solid waste collection and processing company. The violations include exposing workers to amputations hazards from machine parts, not establishing procedures to protect workers from accidental machine startup while performing maintenance and services, and failure to provide readily accessible fire extinguishers. Additionally, the employer was cited for not removing from service a forklift with missing safety equipment and exposing workers to fall hazards due to missing railings on stairs.

Quote: "Deadly falls, severe burns, crushed fingers or hands, and electric shock – those are just some of the hazards employees at Recycling Revolution faced because of management's disregard for worker safety," said Robert Vazzi, director of OSHA's Savannah Area Office. "The company's actions are not only disappointing but also dangerous, and they must take immediate action to address these hazards."

Proposed Penalties: $78,078

View citations here: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20150979fs.pdf

Inspection History: Recycling Revolutions has been inspected by OSHA four times since 2012 and received 24 citations for workplace hazards.

Recycling Revolution has 15 business days from receipt of its 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 Savannah Area Office at 912-652-4393.