The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has issued $563,250 in penalties to Harbor Animal Services Center, based in San Pedro, California, for failing to evaluate and correct overcrowding at their animal shelter, which resulted in animal attacks and bites on employees. An employee was mauled on May 31, 2024, due to the employer’s willful violations of safety regulations.
Cal/OSHA, a division of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), found that the employer had significant safety and training lapses, which put employees of Harbor Animal Services Center in harm’s way and resulted in a serious injury to the worker, whose leg was badly mauled, requiring hospitalization.
What Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee said: “This incident underscores the severe consequences that arise when employers fail to take proper measures to protect their staff from preventable risks. While we cannot undo the harm caused, we can hold employers accountable. Every employee deserves a workplace that prioritizes their health and safety.”
Cal/OSHA has cited Los Angeles City Animal Services operating as Harbor Animal Services Center for six violations, including one general, two willful serious, and three willful serious accident-related in nature. Cal/OSHA’s key findings of the employer’s failure to protect its employees included:
Overcrowding of Animals: The employer failed to evaluate and mitigate risks caused by overcrowding, which led to employee injuries from animal attacks.
Inadequate Training: Employees and supervisors received insufficient training in handling animals or using personal protective devices.
Personal Protective Equipment: Proper assessment and provision of personal protective equipment were not conducted.
Emergency Communication: The lack of an effective communication system delayed critical emergency response and treatment for injuries.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.