Region 4 News Release: 12-572-ATL (154)
April 26, 2012
Contact: Michael D'Aquino Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078
Email: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov wald.michael@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Nance Carpet and Rug in Calhoun,
Ga., for exposing employees to amputation and electrical shock hazards

CALHOUN, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Nance Carpet and Rug Co. Inc. with 10 serious violations for exposing workers to amputation and electrical shock hazards at the company's Calhoun facility. OSHA's inspection, initiated in November 2011 upon receipt of a complaint, was conducted as part of the agency's National Emphasis Program on Amputations and its Local Emphasis Program on Powered Industrial Trucks. Proposed penalties total $53,000.

The violations involve failing to develop and use lockout/tagout procedures to control the energy sources of equipment; remove a forklift with an inoperable horn from service; protect workers from electrocution hazards; and provide guards on blades, cutting heads, sprocket wheels, chains, shafts, belts and pulleys. A serious violation occurs 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.

"This inspection has identified violations that involve possible amputations by unguarded equipment and electrical shock dangers," said Andre Richards, director of OSHA's Atlanta-West Area Office. "Employers cannot wait for an OSHA inspection to identify hazards that are exposing their employees to serious injuries. It is good business to implement preventive programs and systems that ensure such hazards are identified and corrected as part of day-to-day operations."

Nance Carpet and Rug, which employs about 55 workers at its Calhoun facility, manufactures area rugs and remnants for residential and commercial purposes. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Atlanta-West office at 678-903-7301.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.