Region 4 News Release: 09-236-ATL (059)
March 11, 2009
Contact: Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2078

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites South Bay's Florida Crystals Corp. with 15 safety violations and proposes $66,500 in penalties

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $66,500 in penalties against Florida Crystals Corp.'s South Bay, Fla., production facility after uncovering 15 violations of OSHA standards.

The inspection began last September in response to OSHA's National Emphasis Program on combustible dust.

The 14 serious violations, with proposed penalties totaling $63,500, include management's failure to keep the workplace free of accumulations of combustible dust; a locked fire exit door; failure to provide machine guards on equipment; not enforcing the use of seatbelts at the jobsite; not developing lockout/tagout procedures on packaging machines to prevent accidental machinery start-up; using a defective powered industrial truck; exposing employees to electrical hazards; and using high pressure compressed air for cleaning purposes.

The one other-than-serious citation, with proposed penalties totaling $3,000, is for the company's failure to maintain separate injury logs for each of its establishments in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

"It is management's responsibility to ensure its workplace is free of dangers that could seriously harm employees. OSHA will not tolerate a casual attitude toward safety," said Darlene Fossum, OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Fort Lauderdale Area Office, 8040 Peters Road, Building H-100; telephone 954-424-0242.

OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by preventing injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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