US leather firm accused of breaching safety standards
According to reports, the US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has accused a leather firm of safety violations.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel claims the body has alleged that DR Diedrich is guilty of “wilful and serious violations of federal workplace safety standards”.
Following an inspection at the company, OSHA believes the tanning and finishing company should be fined $125,400. It has alleged that a worker, Billie Bell, who had been with the firm for approximately three weeks, was killed when his harness was caught and he was pulled under and between mixing drums (see leatherbiz, 17.06.09).
The inspection reportedly turned up one wilful and 21 serious violations of OSHA workplace standards. "The wilful violation alleges the employer failed to guard machinery to protect workers who are routinely required to work in areas of unguarded rotating tanning drum mixers,” it said in a statement. “A wilful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.”
