custom signs

Release Number: 10-1179-DAL
Sept. 1, 2010
Contact: Diana Petterson     Elizabeth Todd
E-mail: petterson.diana@dol.gov   todd.elizabeth@dol.gov
Phone: 202-693-1898     972-850-4710

US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites Houston manufacturing company
for hiding work-related injuries and illnesses; fines exceed $1.2 million

HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued Goodman Manufacturing Co. LP 83 willful citations for failing to record and improperly recording work-related injuries and illnesses at the company’s Houston air conditioning cooling facility. Proposed penalties total $1,215,000.

“Accurate workplace injury and illness records are vital tools for identifying hazards and protecting workers’ health and safety,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “Workers and employers need this information to recognize patterns of injuries and illnesses, and prevent future hazards.”

OSHA’s Houston North Area Office began its investigation March 2 in response to a complaint alleging that Goodman Manufacturing was not properly recording workplace injuries and illnesses in violation of OSHA’s regulations. The investigation determined that Goodman had either not recorded or failed to properly record the nature and/or duration of 72 percent of employee injuries and illnesses from January 2008 to March 15, 2010, on its log.

Although Goodman was extremely knowledgeable about OSHA recordkeeping requirements, it made many unsupportable decisions that resulted in the deficiencies found by the agency. With regard to the injuries and illnesses improperly recorded, important information reflecting severity, such as the time away from work, was grossly incorrect.

“OSHA takes these violations extremely seriously,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “OSHA needs accurate data to effectively target its inspections and resources, and to measure the impact of OSHA’s actions on workplace safety. Employers and workers need to understand how important accurate data are to workplace safety and health.”

OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for OSHA’s requirements or employee safety and health.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in Houston, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers and employees with questions about workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA’s Houston North Area Office at 281-591-2438 or its Houston South Area Office at 281-286-0583. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.

Apart from this particular investigation, OSHA has implemented a National Emphasis Program on Recordkeeping to assess the accuracy of injury and illness recorded by employers.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

###

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.

Avista Proposes Natural Gas Price Decrease for Oregon Customers
Request reflects continuation of relatively stable natural gas prices

Spokane, WA, September 1, 2010 - Natural gas prices for Avista’s (NYSE:AVA) 95,000 Oregon customers could decrease by 2.4 percent effective Nov. 1, if the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) approves the company’s annual Purchase Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) request. PGAs are filed each year to true-up the cost of wholesale natural gas purchased by Avista to serve customers with the amount included in rates.

Avista also made three administrative filings on September 1 with the OPUC related to demand side management, intervener funding and commission fees. If all filings are approved, an Avista residential customer using an average 50 therms a month could expect their bill to decrease by $1.35, or 2.1 percent, for a revised monthly bill of $63.05. Other customer groups could also expect a price decrease in a similar range.

Avista’s Oregon customers received a 21 percent decrease in their natural gas prices in November 2009 because of steep declines in national wholesale natural gas prices caused by lower demand and an abundance of natural gas supplies. Kevin Christie, Avista’s director of gas supply, said the same market forces are continuing to keep natural gas prices at overall lower levels.

“In North America, increasing amounts of natural gas are being extracted from shale, which is contributing to robust natural gas supplies. The increase in supplies, along with softening demand is creating the current environment of relatively stable natural gas prices,” Christie said. “We’re pleased that our customers could again see their natural gas prices decrease for the upcoming heating season.”

However, the wholesale natural gas market remains volatile in spite of continuing lower prices. To help provide greater price stability for customers and to allow for flexibility based on changing market conditions, Avista follows a diversified natural gas purchasing plan which includes underground storage and forward and daily purchases.

The direct cost of wholesale natural gas makes up about 65 percent of an Avista customer’s bill, and these costs fluctuate up and down based on market prices. Avista does not mark up the cost of natural gas purchased to meet customer needs. The remaining 35 percent covers the cost of delivering the natural gas – the equipment and people needed to provide safe and reliable delivery of service.

Customers can take advantage of a number of energy efficiency programs, including rebates and incentives that can help them proactively manage their natural gas use. Energy assistance programs and payment options are also available to help assist qualifying customers. Information on the programs is available at www.avistautilities.com.

Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 355,000 customers and natural gas to 315,000 customers. Our service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.5 million. Avista’s primary, non-regulated subsidiary is Advantage IQ. Our stock is traded under the ticker symbol “AVA.” For more information about Avista, please visit www.avistacorp.com.

Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation.

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than historical facts. Such statements speak only as of the date of the news release and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, in addition to those discussed herein, all of the factors discussed in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

For More Information Contact
Debbie Simock
Avista
(509) 495-8031
debbie.simock@avistacorp.com
—————————————-

See all news in General