Region 5 News Release: 10-1571-CHI
Nov. 29, 2010
Contact: Rhonda Burke Scott Allen
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-6976
E-mail: burke.rhonda@dol.gov allen.scott@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA fines Michigan-based Cedar Creek
Carpentry $56,000 for exposing workers to fall hazards

NEW BALTIMORE, Mich. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Cedar Creek Carpentry Inc., a carpentry contractor headquartered in New Baltimore, with one alleged willful safety violation for exposing workers to fall hazards while performing carpentry at a worksite in New Lenox, Ill. The company faces a $56,000 fine.

"Falls are a leading cause of injury and death in the workplace. Cedar Creek Carpentry has a history of failing to provide fall protection for workers at a number of previous worksites," said OSHA Area Director Gary Anderson in Calumet City, Ill. "OSHA is committed to ensuring that all workers are provided a safe and healthy workplace."

As part of a local emphasis program on fall protection, OSHA began its inspection in August. That inspection resulted in the company being issued one willful citation for exposing workers to fall hazards. 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.

Cedar Creek Carpentry Inc. has been cited 57 times since 1990 for violations regarding fall protection.

Detailed information on fall protection hazards and safeguards is available online at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html.

The company 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 Calumet City office at 708-891-3800. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA'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 assure 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 releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.