California Department of Industrial Relations (05/23/12)

The California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health has issued 36 citations totaling $38,895 in penalties to American Reclamation Inc., a solid waste company in Los Angeles, its recycling subsidiary, South Coast Fibers Inc., and their staffing firm, Steno Employment Services Inc. Cal/OSHA cited five serious violations including a failure to follow a written program to prevent workers’ entry into machinery before the energy is shut off, an unsafe work platform raised on a fork lift, and various unguarded pieces of machinery that could lead to amputations and other serious injuries. An investigation also revealed multiple violations for the three employers, which included no heat illness prevention training, no drinking water for drivers and helpers in the field, and an inadequate injury and illness prevention program.