SEEKONK - A Michigan-based trucking firm faces $109,500 in federal fines for allegedly repeated and serious safety violations at its Route 6 freight terminal.
The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected Central Transport at 1761 Fall River Ave. last Oct. 12 after an employee complained to the agency, OSHA spokesman Ted Fitzgerald said Thursday.
Central Transport officials had no comment.
OSHA said $102,500 of the fines are for six citations for hazards for which Central Transport was cited in 2005 and 2006 at its terminals in Cheshire, Conn., Peoria Heights, Ill., and Du Bois and York, Pa.
The citations were for fall hazards from unguarded loading docks, lack of eye and face protection for employees filling batteries, blocked access to an emergency eyewash station next to a battery charging area, no training in fire extinguisher use and forklift operations, failing to inspect forklifts for defects and failure to remove defective forklifts from service.
"These citations focus on hazardous conditions that could result in burns, falls, crushing and other serious injuries or even death if left uncorrected," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director for Southeastern Massachusetts.
"The size of the fines reflects this company's history of violations at other sites."
Another $7,000 in proposed fines is for four serious citations in Seekonk, including lack of an emergency response plan, improper distribution of fire extinguishers, improperly installed electrical wiring and allowing pigeon guano to accumulate on the terminal floor and other surfaces.
more...
The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected Central Transport at 1761 Fall River Ave. last Oct. 12 after an employee complained to the agency, OSHA spokesman Ted Fitzgerald said Thursday.
Central Transport officials had no comment.
OSHA said $102,500 of the fines are for six citations for hazards for which Central Transport was cited in 2005 and 2006 at its terminals in Cheshire, Conn., Peoria Heights, Ill., and Du Bois and York, Pa.
The citations were for fall hazards from unguarded loading docks, lack of eye and face protection for employees filling batteries, blocked access to an emergency eyewash station next to a battery charging area, no training in fire extinguisher use and forklift operations, failing to inspect forklifts for defects and failure to remove defective forklifts from service.
"These citations focus on hazardous conditions that could result in burns, falls, crushing and other serious injuries or even death if left uncorrected," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director for Southeastern Massachusetts.
"The size of the fines reflects this company's history of violations at other sites."
Another $7,000 in proposed fines is for four serious citations in Seekonk, including lack of an emergency response plan, improper distribution of fire extinguishers, improperly installed electrical wiring and allowing pigeon guano to accumulate on the terminal floor and other surfaces.
more...
