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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8151
Landis Plastics, Inc., of Solvay, N.Y., will improve safety
and health conditions in its plants in New York and Illinois and will pay the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) $425,520 in penalties,
under an agreement announced today by Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman.
The agreement settles citations OSHA issued Jan. 14, 1997,
against the Solvay plant for willful violations of recordkeeping and hearing
conservation requirements and a repeat violation of machine guarding
requirements. Other violations included inadequate training of employees in how
to lockout and tagout equipment to prevent it from being started while workers
are doing repairs or maintenance. Additionally, a citation was issued for
ergonomic hazards.
"I am pleased that Landis has agreed to resolve this matter
in a way that will ensure maximum protection for its workforce," Secretary
Herman said. "All workers should have the assurance that the place where they
work is safe and healthful."
The company makes custom-molded plastic food containers.
Landis has about 1,200 employees in manufacturing sites in Solvay; Alsip, Ill;
Chicago Ridge, Ill.; Richmond, Ind. and Monticello, Ind.
Charles Jeffress, assistant secretary of labor for
occupational safety and health, said the agreement also contains an
understanding that the company will seek a similar agreement with the State of
Indiana, which operates its own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health
program.
"This agreement avoids the burden and cost of prolonged
litigation and also furthers the efforts of both Landis and OSHA to provide
safe workplaces," said Jeffress.
OSHA originally proposed penalties totaling $720,700
against the Solvay plant. The company has agreed to abate the conditions that
were the basis of the citations. It has retained a corporate safety director
who will be responsible for compliance with occupational safety and health
requirements and it will implement a safety and health program based on OSHA's
voluntary guidelines for safety and health program management.
Landis is taking several steps to comply with injury and
illness recordkeeping requirements, which are the cornerstone for managing
plant safety and health. The company has assured OSHA that its 1997 records at
the Solvay plant are now in full compliance, and it will review and correct any
deficiencies in the records for 1995-96. Deficiencies in records for 1995-97 at
its other facilities will also be reviewed and corrected. In addition,
employees who keep injury and illness records will receive recordkeeping
training and the company will arrange for an independent recordkeeping audit on
an annual basis.
In the area of ergonomics, Landis will implement a
proactive program at all covered facilities to substantially reduce or
eliminate ergonomic stress factors. It has agreed to retain an ergonomics
consultant to conduct a comprehensive analysis of all facilities and will
implement an action plan to address ergonomic hazards that are identified.
Finally, Landis will provide training for machinery and
equipment operators, including machine guarding training and it will not
discharge or discriminate against any employee for exercising rights under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Varying dates are set for the abatement of hazards. Landis
agreed that if it fails to complete any measure within the specified abatement
period (unless OSHA approved an extension of the abatement period), it will be
subject to penalties of up to $7,000 per day.
A number of affected Landis employees participated in the
settlement discussions through representatives who then signed the agreement on
behalf of these employees. In addition, one employee signed the agreement
personally.
Landis has agreed to post the settlement in the native
languages of any affected employees who are unable to read English.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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