The Cooperative Plus Inc, a farmer-owned cooperative, must be very familiar with OSHA's wrath by now. For it has been just a few months since it was slapped with a fine of $721,000 after an employee was seriously injured from nearly being engulfed by soybeans at the cooperative's Burlington, Wisconsin facility.
Currently, it faces a penalty of nearly $374,500, for being guilty of committing 25 safety violations at 2 particular grain facilities situated at Whitewater and Genoa City.
Regarding this matter, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Dr. David Michaels said that, “This continued non-compliance with long established safety standards for working in grain handling operations by Cooperative Plus Inc. shows a complete disregard for worker safety,". He further went on to say that,"All workers have the right to work in a safe environment and the Labor Department will use all legal means necessary to ensure companies comply with established safety requirements."
After thorough investigation, the OSHA inspectors found that the company failed to post an employee to observe the entry or to turn off and lock out power. Furthermore, they also failed to train workers in the emergency use of respirators or to maintain air-monitoring equipment.
As usual that company has exactly 15 business days to either comply with the proposed charges or contest the findings before the independent OSHA Review Commission.
Currently, it faces a penalty of nearly $374,500, for being guilty of committing 25 safety violations at 2 particular grain facilities situated at Whitewater and Genoa City.
Regarding this matter, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Dr. David Michaels said that, “This continued non-compliance with long established safety standards for working in grain handling operations by Cooperative Plus Inc. shows a complete disregard for worker safety,". He further went on to say that,"All workers have the right to work in a safe environment and the Labor Department will use all legal means necessary to ensure companies comply with established safety requirements."
After thorough investigation, the OSHA inspectors found that the company failed to post an employee to observe the entry or to turn off and lock out power. Furthermore, they also failed to train workers in the emergency use of respirators or to maintain air-monitoring equipment.
As usual that company has exactly 15 business days to either comply with the proposed charges or contest the findings before the independent OSHA Review Commission.
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