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OSHA Fines Service Provider for Unsafe Clean-up in Chicago
May 19, 2006 May 19, 2006 — The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $134,000 in fines against Project Management Services, headquartered in Girard, Ohio, for alleged willful and serious violations of workplace safety and health standards for its employees working at a Chicago foundry.
Horsehead Corp. had contracted with Project Management Services to clean up lead- and cadmium-contaminated dust at Horsehead's foundry in Chicago. OSHA opened an inspection in November 2005 following receipt of information that violations of federal workplace health standards relating to lead were occurring at the jobsite.
The investigation resulted in citations to Project Management Services for three willful and nine serious violations of federal workplace safety and health regulations, including the failure to comply with OSHA's noise, respirator, cadmium and lead standards.
OSHA is alleging that Project Management Services failed to provide medical evaluation and training for workers; failed to monitor for lead and cadmium; did not fit test respirators; and provided no clean changing room, clean lunch room or showers for employees exposed to lead in excess of permissible exposure limits.
The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.