OSHA Fines Contractor $94K After Worker Burned At McDavid Sawmill

November 30, 2018

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found a contractor working at a McDavid sawmill willfully violated safety regulations that resulted in serious burn injuries to an employee .

OSHA said L.A. Disaster Relief and Property Maintenance LLC is facing $94,415 in penalties for the July 21 incident at West Fraser on Champion Drive.

OSHA investigators found the owner of the property maintenance and land clearing company directed the injured employee to ignite wood and debris inside an air burn box using a torch and gasoline, which caused an explosion. OSHA cited the company for failing to implement a hazard communication program to familiarize employees with flammable and combustible dust hazards.

“This owner’s intentional disregard of the manufacturers’ safety instructions and failure to take proper safety measures resulted in serious injuries to an employee,” said OSHA Jacksonville Area Office Director Michelle Gonzalez.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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