OSHA fines United over workplace safety
On Friday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed $215,000 in fines against United Airlines for alleged multiple serious and repeat violations of federal workplace safety standards discovered during an inspection of the carrier's O'Hare Airport workplace completed last February.
OSHA cited United for 43 serious violations and four repeat violations. OSHA spokesman Scott Allen said the heftiest fines are typically levied for repeat violations. OSHA cited United for a variety of hazards ranging from hazardous energy control procedures to electrical hazards and storage of oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders.
(AP file)
In a statement Friday, United said it is taking immediate steps to improve safety in employee work areas at O'Hare. The airline said it had already brought in a third-party expert to correct certain concerns related to electrical wiring. The carrier also said it had already installed new machine guards and removed fall hazards.
OSHA's Allen said the proposed $215,000 fine is on the high end of fines typically levied by OSHA. United has a 15-day window to appeal the fine, during which time OSHA may agree to adjust the size of the fine based on efforts made by the airline to correct violations and other considerations. Allen said the United workplace at O'Hare has been inspected eight times since the year 2000. After the last inspection in September, 2006, United was cited for four violations, two of which were deemed serious. A proposed $3,500 fine at the time was subsequently lowered to $1,700.
