Hazards Lead to $156K in Fines for Louisiana Trucking Firm

A trucking company based in Louisiana has been cited by federal workplace safety officials for exposing workers to various safety and health hazards. Proposed penalties total $156,800.

Transporter Maintenance and Inspection LLC, a subsidiary of L & B Holdings LLC in Port Allen, La., was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Aug. 6, 2015.

OSHA said the company was cited with one willful violation for failing to provide fall protection. Additionally the company received citations for 27 serious violations, some of which include noise, respiratory, fire and electrical hazards, along with exposure to silica, failing to train industrial truck operators, and not maintaining unobstructed exit routes. Five other violations include ungrounded electrical equipment, unmarked exits and an uncovered electrical outlet box.

“Management knew that workers could have fallen and suffered serious injuries, but they willfully chose not to outfit all the tanker trailers with guardrail systems or provide a personal fall arrest system for the workers,” said Dorinda Folse, area director for OSHA’s Baton Rouge Area Office.

The company employs about 33 workers at the Port Allen facility and has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA