Lumber mill cited for repeated safety violations

U.S. regulators cited a Georgia lumber mill for repeatedly exposing workers to safety hazards and have proposed a nearly $60,000 fine.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Arlington, Virginia-based Interstate Resources Inc., doing business as RB Lumber L.L.C., this week for two repeated violations for failing to provide fall protection equipment to employees working and walking on top of machinery and for exposing workers to electrical hazards, according to a press release issued Tuesday.

The agency previously cited the company for similar violations in 2011 at its Riceboro, Georgia, facility.

OSHA also cited the company for two serious safety violations, including exposing workers to unguarded machine parts and struck-by hazards, according to the citations.

“RB Lumber continues to expose workers to hazards that were previously identified by inspectors,” Robert Vazzi, OSHA's area director in Savannah, Georgia, said in the statement. “There is no reason we should be finding these hazards again. It's management's responsibility to protect workers and they must take action immediately.”

A company spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.