Timberline Hardwood Floors LLC (Fulton, N.Y.) has been fined $182,917 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for what the administration cited as “willful and serious violations of workplace safety and health standards.”
Timberline Hardwood Floors President Tom Timberline did not respond to WFB but told Syracuse.com the company plans to contest the citations.
OSHA, which announced the violations and fines July 17, cited the company for failing to implement “lockout-tagout” procedures to prevent machines from unintentionally starting; adequately train forklift operators; repair exposed electrical circuits; and develop hearing conservation and chemical communication programs. The company was also cited with violations for allowing locked emergency exits, unguarded machines and unlabeled hazardous materials and chemicals, according to OSHA.
“During this inspection, OSHA identified serious hazards that posed a threat to workers’ safety and health,” OSHA Syracuse Area Office Assistant Director Jeffrey Prebish said in a statement.
Timberline told Syracuse.com that the proposed fines were excessive and the citations involved minor things.
The company has 15 days to respond after receipt of the citations and proposed penalties.
