Trucking company fined $156K for exposing workers to a variety of safety and health hazards

Employer name: Transporter Maintenance and Inspection LLC, a subsidiary of L & B Holdings LLC in Port Allen, Louisiana

Citations issued: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the employer on Aug. 6, 2015 from a complaint inspection for one willful, 27 serious and five other violations for exposing workers to various safety and health hazards.

Investigation findings: The willful violation was for failing to provide fall protection and some of the 27 serious violations include noise, respiratory, fire and electrical hazards, along with exposure to silica, failing to train industrial truck operators, and not maintaining unobstructed exit routes. The five other violations include ungrounded electrical equipment, unmarked exits and an uncovered electrical outlet box.

Proposed penalties: $156,800

Quote: Management knew that workers could have fallen and suffered serious injuries, but they willfully chose not to outfit all the tanker trailers with guardrail systems or provide a personal fall arrest system for the workers, said Dorinda Folse, area director for OSHA's Baton Rouge Area Office.

Link to the citations: https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/TRANSPORTER_MaitnenanceandInspection_1029960_20150731.pdf and https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/TRANSPORTER_MaintenanceandInspection_1029749_20150731.pdf

Information: The company employs about 33 workers at the Port Allen facility and has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Baton Rouge Area Office at 225-298-5458 or the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) to report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.