Region 5 News Release: 11-1318-CHI
Sept. 7, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4807
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Bedford Heights, Ohio, event and
party rental company for 19 safety violations; proposed fines total $154,000

BEDFORD HEIGHTS, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited ILAPA Inc., doing business as Lasting Impressions Event and Party Rentals in Bedford Heights, for 19 safety violations. The company faces $154,000 in proposed fines.

"Failing to provide workers with protection against possible electrical shocks and other workplace hazards is unacceptable," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Employers have a responsibility to ensure that work environments are safe, which includes providing appropriate equipment and training to all employees."

Two willful violations with $98,000 in fines involve failing to train employees in the use of powered industrial trucks and causing a potential electrocution hazard by providing damaged extension cord sets to be used in wet locations without ground fault circuit interruption protection. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or plain indifference to employee safety and health.

Sixteen serious safety violations with $56,000 in penalties involve fall hazards, unguarded wall openings and stairs, failing to evaluate the workplace for hazards that necessitate the use of personal protective equipment, failing to provide equipment for fall protection as well as eye and face protection, failing to develop and implement a hazardous communications plan, failing to develop a written emergency action plan, and failing to keep aisles clear for powered industrial trucks and as emergency exit routes. 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.

Additionally, one other-than-serious violation with no penalties was cited for failing to have fire extinguishers readily available, inspect the extinguishers monthly and conduct fire extinguisher training, as well as to mark load ratings for the floor and space if used for storage purposes. 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.

The ILAPA citations are available at: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/ILAPA_315312868_0906_11.PDF*.

ILAPA has 15 business days from receipt of its 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. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Cleveland Area Office at 216-615-4266. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

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.

* Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.