Alabama lumber mill continues to expose workers to amputations, falls and other deadly workplace safety hazards

Employer name: Linden Lumber LLC

Inspection site: 23741 U.S. Highway 43, Linden, Alabama 36748

Citations issued: Citations were issued on Oct. 13, 2015.

Investigation findings: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Linden Lumber for two repeated and seven serious safety and health violations. The agency opened the inspection after learning of a worker being hospitalized in an unrelated incident. This inspection fell under OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Amputations.

OSHA issued the employer repeated citations for exposing workers to falls and unguarded belts, pulleys and machinery. Linden was previously cited for similar violations at this facility in February.

Serious citations were also issued to the employer for failing to provide safety procedures to prevent machinery from starting up during maintenance and servicing; not providing protective eyewear to workers; and improper storage of compressed gas cylinders. Additionally, the employer exposed workers to falls and multiple electric shock hazards.

Proposed penalties total $43,116.

Quote: "It's disappointing when employers that have been previously cited for safety violations continue to expose workers to those same hazards. Situations like this show that worker safety has not been made a priority," said Joseph Roesler, director of OSHA's Mobile Area Office. "This company claims to have a safety management system in place, yet these hazards continue to exist. They must be corrected immediately."

The citations can be viewed at:

• http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20151961a.pdf
• http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20151961b.pdf

Linden Lumber has 15 business days from receipt of 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 Mobile Area Office at 251-441-6131.