Dalton Recycler Faces OSHA Fines

Dalton, GA, July 11, 2007-- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed the penalty for Columbia Recycling Corp. for 11 violations, according to the Chattanooga's Times Free Press.

The newspaper reported that the company faces penalties of $41,400 for safety violations in the wake of a January fire that killed one worker and injured two others.

 The Jan. 6 fire claimed the life of Leonel Delgado, 22, who died from smoke inhalation, officials said.

"We found that the employer was not enforcing safety rules which could save lives," said Andre Richards, director of OSHA's Atlanta-West Area Office.

It was not clear whether the violations were related to the January fire. Company officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

According to the OSHA release, Columbia Recycling employs 288 people to manufacture conveyor belt material from recycled textile remnants.

Inspectors found violations ranging from fall hazards and blocked fire exits to lack of training for employees and lack of an emergency plan.

The company may contest the penalties within 15 days, according to the release.