August 2, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Idaho Lumber Company
For Exposing Employees to Safety Hazards

ATHOL, ID – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Merritt Bros. Lumber Company Inc. for exposing employees to multiple workplace safety hazards at its Athol facility. The Athol, Idaho-based company is facing $189,221 in proposed penalties.

OSHA cited the company for failing to use machine guards on trim saws and conveyors, install handrails on stairways and walkways, use lockout/tagout procedures to control hazardous energy, and train employees on hazardous chemicals. OSHA also cited the company for allowing sawdust and other combustible materials to accumulate.

"This employer's repeated failure to correct known safety hazards is putting their employees at risk for serious, and potentially fatal, injuries," said OSHA Boise Area Office Director David Kearns.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and 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.

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 help 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 www.osha.gov.

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Media Contacts:

Leo Kay, 415-625-2630, kay.leo.f@dol.gov
Jose Carnevali, 415-625-2631, carnevali.jose@dol.gov

Release Number: 18-1229-SEA

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department's Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).