Noise Complaint against Freight Firm Leads to Truckload of Citations
OSHA has cited Marcum Transport trucking company for exposing workers to a variety of safety and health hazards at its facility in Verdunville, W.Va. Proposed penalties total $73,500.
The agency initiated its investigation May 13 in response to a complaint of noise exposure. As a result, the company has been cited for 33 serious violations and one other-than-serious violation. The serious violations include improper machine guarding, inadequate personal protective equipment, a deficient hazard communication program, obstructed exit routes, electrical hazards, and deficient use of lockout/tagout devices for energy sources that prevent the inadvertent start-up of machines. A serious citation is issued when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. The other-than-serious citation has been issued for recordkeeping violations.
"It is the employer's legal responsibility to ensure the safety of its employees in the workplace," said Sue Barazi, acting director of OSHA's area office in Charleston, W.Va. "OSHA will continue holding employers accountable when they compromise worker safety and do not comply with the law."
Marcum has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director in Charleston, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.