Region 4 News Release: 12-395-ATL (090)
March 14, 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 Olde Atlanta Recycling
with 23 safety and health violations, proposes more than $69,000 in fines

CUMMING, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Olde Atlanta Recycling LLC with 23 safety and health violations for exposing workers to a variety of hazards at the company's Cumming facility. An inspection was initiated in November based on a complaint. Proposed penalties total $69,200.

Fifteen serious safety violations with penalties of $55,800 involve failing to provide an energy control program for workers who maintain and service equipment to keep machines from accidentally starting up, require workers who operate powered industrial trucks to wear seat belts, properly use PVC piping to transport compressed air, provide signage to mark exits, formally train powered industrial truck operators, install a chip guard on the end of an air nozzle, guard a conveyor belt, correct electrical deficiencies and ensure that the ceiling height of an exit route was a minimum of 84 inches.

Four serious health violations with penalties of $10,800 include failing to develop and implement a noise monitoring program, implement a training program for workers exposed to noise, perform a hazard assessment for workers exposed to laceration hazards to determine necessary personal protective equipment and identify a baler that workers entered to remove jams as a permit-required confined space. 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.

Two other-than-serious health violations include failing to provide workers using respirators with information on the related OSHA standard, and to develop and implement a written hazard communication program. Two other-than-serious safety violations have been cited for failing to maintain the OSHA 300, 301 and 300-A logs as required, and to provide an emergency action plan for employee accountability in the event of an emergency. These four violations carry combined penalties of $2,600. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

"This inspection has identified several safety and health deficiencies that need to be addressed by Olde Atlanta Recycling in order to protect its workers," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. "It is the employer's responsibility to provide a safe and healthful workplace."

Olde Atlanta Recycling, which sorts and recycles plastic, metal and paper products, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a 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-East office at 770-493-6644.

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.