OSHA fines elevators $1.3 million
Fines and penalties levied in connection with deaths of three employees
posted January 24, 2011
Annawan, Ill. —
Elevator companies in Mt. Carroll and Hillsdale have been fined more than $1.3 million by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in connection with the deaths of three employees in grain bin accidents last year.
Hillsdale Elevator Co. was fined a total of $729,000 as a result of the death of Raymond Nowland, 49, in an accident at the company’s Geneseo facility. That figure includes $15,000 in fines that resulted from an inspection of the company’s elevator in Annawan.
Haasbach LLC of Mt. Carroll was fined $555,000 following an OSHA investigation of the deaths of workers Wyatt Whitebread, 14, and Alex Pacas, 19, at the company’s elevator in Mt. Carroll. OSHA also levied civil money penalties of $68,125 against the company for “employing anyone less than 18. . .to perform hazardous jobs” prohibited by the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor standards, according to a news release issued Monday by OSHA.
The news release said Hillsdale Elevator Co. received 17 “willful citations” with penalties of $714,000. The citations allege eight instances of directing workers to enter bins, silos or tanks where a buildup of grain on the sides could fall and bury them; and nine instances of failing to shut down mechanical equipment that could endanger employees.
“A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements or with plain indifference to worker safety and health,” the news release said.
In addition, Hillsdale Elevator Co. was fined a total of $15,000 for five serious citations following an inspection of the company’s facility in Annawan. The news release said a serious citation is issued “when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.”
The news release said both elevator companies have 15 days from receipt of the OSHA citations to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s regional director or contest the findings before OSHA’s review commission.
“The tragic deaths of three people could have been prevented had the grain bin owners and operators followed the occupational safety standards and child labor laws,” said Hilda L. Solis, secretary of labor. “It is unconscionable to allow a minor to work in any high-hazard area. Haasbach’s and Hillsdale’s disregard for the law and commonsense safety practices has led to the devastation of three families.”
OSHA is a part of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Hillsdale Elevator Co. was fined a total of $729,000 as a result of the death of Raymond Nowland, 49, in an accident at the company’s Geneseo facility. That figure includes $15,000 in fines that resulted from an inspection of the company’s elevator in Annawan.
Haasbach LLC of Mt. Carroll was fined $555,000 following an OSHA investigation of the deaths of workers Wyatt Whitebread, 14, and Alex Pacas, 19, at the company’s elevator in Mt. Carroll. OSHA also levied civil money penalties of $68,125 against the company for “employing anyone less than 18. . .to perform hazardous jobs” prohibited by the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor standards, according to a news release issued Monday by OSHA.
The news release said Hillsdale Elevator Co. received 17 “willful citations” with penalties of $714,000. The citations allege eight instances of directing workers to enter bins, silos or tanks where a buildup of grain on the sides could fall and bury them; and nine instances of failing to shut down mechanical equipment that could endanger employees.
“A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements or with plain indifference to worker safety and health,” the news release said.
In addition, Hillsdale Elevator Co. was fined a total of $15,000 for five serious citations following an inspection of the company’s facility in Annawan. The news release said a serious citation is issued “when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.”
The news release said both elevator companies have 15 days from receipt of the OSHA citations to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s regional director or contest the findings before OSHA’s review commission.
“The tragic deaths of three people could have been prevented had the grain bin owners and operators followed the occupational safety standards and child labor laws,” said Hilda L. Solis, secretary of labor. “It is unconscionable to allow a minor to work in any high-hazard area. Haasbach’s and Hillsdale’s disregard for the law and commonsense safety practices has led to the devastation of three families.”
OSHA is a part of the U.S. Department of Labor.
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