• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Atlanta, GA Workers Compensation Lawyer Gerber & Holder Workers' Compensation Attorneys

Atlanta Law Firm

Offices in Atlanta, Athens & Columbus Georgia

(678) 802-8650 Free Consult

  • Team
  • Common work injuries
    • Back and neck
    • Car accident
    • Catastrophic
    • Spinal cord
    • Construction
    • Truck accident
    • Head and brain
  • Workers’ compensation
    • Workers’ comp benefits guide
    • Workers’ comp FAQs
    • Help with claim denials
  • Who we represent
  • Resources
    • Reviews
    • Verdicts
    • Scholarships
    • Videos
    • Blog
  • Contact
  • Español

OSHA Fines Plastics Recycler in Georgia $164,308 After Worker’s Deadly Fall

Work Injury Lawyers (Home) / Blog / Georgia Workers & Industry News / OSHA Fines Plastics Recycler in Georgia $164,308 After Worker’s Deadly Fall

By Benjamin Gerber

On June 22, 2021 the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) fined a plastics recycler based in Toccoa, Georgia, $164,308 following the fatal fall of a worker in December 2020.

OSHA claims that the company Scrap Masters Inc. did not equip appropriate stairs and guardrails to their platforms. While the company had installed some fall protection, OSHA said that it failed to meet federal safety guidelines. These safety violations led to the death of a 56-year-old worker who fell 6 feet from an elevated platform, resulting in a fatal head injury.

The company, which recycles plastic automobile gas tanks, also faces OSHA citations for 8 serious workplace safety violations and 5 repeat violations, which contributed to their penalty. Outside of the issues that caused the fatal fall last year, other citations included safety violations such as not mounting and marking fire extinguishers.

Scrap Masters also failed to develop and implement procedures for employees that perform service and maintenance on their machines, which could expose these workers to amputation hazards.

Over the past 5 years, OSHA has inspected Scrap Masters Inc. 5 times, and 4 of those inspections have resulted in workplace safety citations.

A pattern of workplace safety violations in the recycling industry

In 2016, another recycling company in Dalton, GA, faced a $317,814 fine because of failed workplace safety standards. This penalty came after OSHA inspected Columbia Recycling Corp. and found that there were 5 repeated safety violations, including 3 serious health infractions.

According to OSHA, some of Columbia Recycling’s repeat violations included the failure to implement an effective program for preventing work-related hearing loss, not protecting petroleum gas storage tanks with crash guards and neglecting proper storage of liquefied petroleum.

Other citations Columbia faced related to the improper storage of compressed gas cylinders, not allowing sufficient space around electrical equipment and the failure to ensure that employees successfully completed training to operate a powered industrial truck.

Another one of the company’s violations was related to a failure in reporting a work-related amputation injury within 24 hours.

Common workplace OSHA violations

Both of these cases are representative of many of the most frequently cited citations by OSHA. Every year, OSHA publishes their list of the most common health and safety violations so that employers can take steps to fix these issues and prevent workplace injuries.

The top 10 most common workplace violations in 2020 fell into the following categories:

  1. Fall protection
  2. Hazard communication standards
  3. Respiratory protection
  4. Scaffolding
  5. Ladders
  6. Control of hazardous energy
  7. Powered industrial trucks
  8. Fall protection—training requirements
  9. Eye and face protection
  10. Machinery and machine guarding
OSHA's 2020 most frequently cited violations
Source: https://www.osha.gov/top10citedstandards

How to report unsafe working conditions to OSHA

Each employer is required to properly train their workers, ensure their safety by notifying them when there is a hazard and provide appropriate safety gear. In addition, they must ensure that their workplace meets OSHA guidelines to prevent injuries and accidents, such as potential falls.

No matter where you work, it is your right to demand a safe working environment. Workers might ignore dangerous practices or unsafe work conditions for fear of being fired or harassed, but this will only prolong the danger and could lead to serious injury or death.

If you notice something that could pose a potential threat to you or your coworkers, you should first report this hazard to your supervisor, boss or employer.

If your employer does not take your report seriously, your next step would be reporting to your union representative, if you belong to a union. Union reps usually have more authority to force employers to comply with safety standards, and they can protect you from potentially being fired.

If you don’t have a union to represent you and you fear retaliation from your employer, you can report any unsafe working conditions anonymously and directly to OSHA. You can contact your nearest OSHA office by phone or mail to ensure that the issue falls under the agency’s regulations. You can also file a complaint online at the OSHA website.

When you speak with OSHA, make sure to include as much information as you can regarding the incident. Explain things like how many employees were exposed to the danger and what kinds of machinery, materials or chemicals are involved. You should also mention how long the condition existed and whether your employer has attempted any corrections to resolve the issue.

After reviewing the complaint, an OSHA representative will likely inspect the facility and the report will include what corrections need to be made, in addition to any fines and penalties.

In some situations, a workplace may be too dangerous to continue employment, and an experienced attorney can help handle cases concerning labor laws and workers’ compensation. In this event, your case would be reviewed for evidence of discrimination or harassment, and you could speak with a lawyer who can advise you on whether or not to file a lawsuit.

IF YOU WORK IN GEORGIA AND HAVE BEEN HURT DUE TO UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS, OUR EXPERIENCED GERBER & HOLDER WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ATTORNEYS CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH A FREE CONSULTATION. YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO FINANCIAL BENEFITS AND WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

5-star review image
Amazing firm to work with
Back and Neck Injury  |  Atlanta
Head and back injury
2020-08-10
"This firm handle my case exceptionally. Chris was so amazing in keeping me informed throughout my case. I ..."
KW, Verified Customer
5-star review image
Exceptional Staff!!!!
Other Work-Related Injury  |  Atlanta
Shoulder injury
2020-10-16
"I had the pleasure of being represented by Tom Holder who is absolutely amazing. He worked hard on ..."
Kameron B, Verified Customer
5-star review image
Awesome people
Back and Neck Injury  |  Atlanta
Back and Neck Injury
2019-09-09
"The staff was so amazing and helpfully my legal team was amazing and was on the ball they ..."
Gafan227, Verified Customer

Primary Sidebar

    How much is your injury worth?

    Schedule Your Free Consultation

    Categories

    • Community
    • Firm News
    • Georgia Workers & Industry News
    • Workers' Compensation

    Footer

      How much is your injury worth?

      Schedule Your Free Consultation

      Scroll back to top

      Georgia workers' compensation lawyers with offices in Atlanta and Athens

      (678) 802-8650

      Facebook LinkedIn Twitter
      “YouTube” “Instagram” “TikTok”

      Gerber & Holder Workers' Compensation Attorneys: Georgia Enjuris Partner Attorney

      Quick Links

      Benjamin Gerber Thomas Holder Common Work Injuries Car Accidents On-the-Job Injured in Atlanta

      Workers' Compensation Who We Represent Reviews File for Bankruptcy Contact Us

      Locations

      Atlanta office
      16 Lenox Pointe NE
      Atlanta, GA 30324

      Athens office
      337 South Milledge Ave, Ste. 209-7
      Athens, GA 30605

      Columbus office
      1340 14th St
      Columbus, GA 31901

      Copyright © 2023 · Gerber & Holder Workers' Compensation Attorneys · Workers' Comp Lawyer in Atlanta · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy

      Lawyer Marketing & Web Design by SEO Advantage, Inc.