OSHA Cites Montana Sawmill Company
The agency's citations include 25 serious violations, two repeat violations, and $128,700 in proposed fines.
OSHA announced it has cited Tricon Timber LLC in St. Regis, Mont., for 25 serious and two repeat safety violations based on an inspection that followed a complaint alleging workers had been injured at the sawmill. The proposed penalties total $128,700.
Tricon Timber (www.tricontimberllc.com) is the largest family-owned mill in the state of Montana, according to information posted on its website.
The serious violations involve alleged failure to ensure workers are protected from fall hazards by providing standard guardrails, include workers in a fully implemented respiratory protection program, provide adequate PPE, provide an eyewash and emergency shower station, implement a comprehensive energy control program, and guard machines. These citations carry penalties of $80,190. The two repeat violations are for alleged failure to guard augers in the boiler room and ensure the shaft ends on stackers are guarded. These citations carry penalties of $48,510. OSHA’s news release said it cited similar violations in February 2011.
"Unfortunately, this employer is not taking the steps needed to ensure that workers have a safe and healthful workplace," said Jeff Funke, the agency's area director in Billings, Mont. "In addition to a wide range of other dangers, Tricon Timber continues to expose workers to the same hazards cited last year, and OSHA is taking these repeat violations seriously."
The citations are available at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/TriconTimberLLC_192171_0821_12.pdf.