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Region 2 News Release: 11-48-NEW/BOS 2011-030
Jan. 31, 2011
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
E-mail: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov

US Department of Labor’s OSHA proposes $220,000 in fines to Syracuse, NY,
manufacturer for willful, serious and uncorrected violations
Oberdorfer LLC cited for exposing workers to silica, mechanical and electrical hazards

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Oberdorfer LLC for 28 alleged violations of workplace health and safety standards, including failing to correct hazards cited during a previous OSHA inspection. The Syracuse manufacturer of aluminum castings faces a total of $220,000 in proposed fines following an OSHA inspection opened July 30, 2010, to verify correction of previously cited hazards.

OSHA previously cited the company for a variety of violations involving employee overexposure to airborne concentrations of silica, which has been classified as a human lung carcinogen. This newest inspection found the company failed to implement engineering controls to reduce workers’ exposure to silica. In addition, the inspection found that an employee who was overexposed to silica lacked a respirator.

“This company was given the time and opportunity to take effective corrective action, yet our latest inspections identified silica-related hazards that either went uncorrected or were allowed to recur. This is unacceptable,” said Christopher Adams, OSHA’s area director in Syracuse. “The sizable fines levied here reflect the severity and recurring nature of these conditions. They must be corrected – once and for all – to help ensure the health and safety of the workers at this plant.

As a result of its latest inspections, OSHA issued the company two failure-to-abate notices carrying $75,000 in fines for the uncorrected conditions and one willful citation with a $70,000 fine for the lack of respiratory protection. A failure-to-abate notice is issued, and additional fines proposed, when an employer fails to correct previously cited hazards. A willful violation exists when an employer has demonstrated either an intentional disregard for the requirements of the law or plain indifference to employee safety and health.

The company also was issued 21 serious citations with $72,000 in fines for fall, electrical and machine guarding hazards; a locked exit door; lack of a permit-required confined space program and training; failure to develop specific lockout/tagout procedures to prevent the unintended startup of machinery; lack of an eyewash station; and failing to provide training on silica. Finally, the company was issued four other-than-serious citations with $3,000 in fines for inadequate recording of workplace injuries and illnesses. OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

“One means of addressing workplace hazards such as these is for employers to establish and maintain an illness and injury prevention program, in which workers and management work together continuously to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York.

Breathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling or even fatal. The respirable silica dust enters the lungs and causes the formation of scar tissue, thus reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. Detailed information on silica hazards and safeguards, including an interactive eTool, is available online at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/silicacrystalline/index.html.

Oberdorfer LLC has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with the OSHA area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA’s Syracuse Area Office; telephone 315-451-0808. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

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.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

Region 5 News Release: 11-94-CHI
Jan. 31, 2011
Contact: Rhonda Burke       Scott Allen
Phone: 312-353-6976       312-353-6976
E-mail: burke.rhonda@dol.gov       allen.scott@dol.gov

US Labor Department’s OSHA cites McEntire’s Roofing of Lincoln, Ill.,
$102,000 for failing to provide fall protection for workers
Willful, repeat safety violations land employer in Severe Violator Enforcement Program

LINCOLN, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued McEntire’s Roofing Inc. of Lincoln six citations for failing to provide fall protection for roofers working on residential projects. The company faces penalties totaling $102,000.

The citations are the result of two OSHA investigations, conducted under the agency’s Local Emphasis Program on Fall Hazards, which took place in July and September 2010 at jobsites in Bloomington and Lincoln, Ill. Two willful citations carrying $56,000 in penalties were issued after inspectors observed roofers being allowed to operate without fall protection at two-story residential projects. A willful violation exists when an employer has demonstrated either an intentional disregard for the requirements of the law or plain indifference to employee safety and health.

“Falls are a leading cause of injury and death in the workplace,” said Thomas Bielema, OSHA’s area director in Peoria, Ill. “McEntire’s Roofing repeatedly has been cited for not providing adequate fall protection and that is unacceptable. OSHA is committed to ensuring employers abide by the law, which requires commonsense safety practices.”

OSHA issued McEntire’s Roofing two repeat citations with proposed fines of $42,000 for allegedly not having a grasping handle and/or a ladder extended 3 feet or more above the roofline for workers to access in order to prevent falls. A repeat citation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

Two serious citations were issued to the company alleging that a damaged ladder was used to access an upper roof area and for failing to have a ladder inspected by a competent person. Those violations carry total penalties of $4,000. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

OSHA standards require that an effective form of fall protection, such as guardrails, safety nets or personal fall arrest systems, be in use when workers perform residential construction activities 6 feet or more above the next lower level. Detailed information on fall protection hazards and safeguards is available online at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html.

The company’s willful and repeat safety violations put McEntire’s Roofing in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which focuses on employers with a history of safety violations that endanger workers by demonstrating indifference to their responsibilities under the law. This enforcement tool includes mandatory OSHA follow-up inspections and inspections of other worksites of the same employer where similar hazards and deficiencies may be present. For more information on SVEP, visit http://www.osha.gov/dep/svep-directive.pdf*.

Prior to the two inspections detailed above, McEntire’s Roofing had been inspected by OSHA six times since 2005, resulting in 15 prior citations.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA’s Peoria, Ill., office at 309-589-7033. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

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.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

*Accessibility Assistance: Contact the Office of Communications at (202) 693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

Black Hawk Oil Exploration Program Receives Drill Permit Approval

Fox Island, WA, January 31, 2011 - Black Hawk Exploration (OTCM: BHWX) is pleased to announce it has received approval of its Notice of Intent to Drill application filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission, Oil and Gas Conservation Division. Val Energy will provide Black Hawk with the drilling rig for the operation and work will commence within 2 weeks on its oil and gas lease holding in Cowley County, Kansas. BHWX plans a 6 month, 20 well program on its approximately 3000 acres. Black Hawk will proceed with re-entry into the SELLERS #1(B) Well and extend the exploration depth to include the historically prolific Layton, Mississippi and Arbuckle zones.  

“Historical production from the Layton Zone alone produced over 30 barrels of oil per day and we hope to match and exceed these numbers with the application of modern technology,” stated Kevin M. Murphy, CEO.  

A Slick Water Frac, to improve production, is scheduled and a decision regarding a horizontal drill program will be made within the next 2 weeks based our analysis of the Duel Induction, Compensated Neutro Density, Microresistivity and Borehole  Compensated Sonic testing. BHWX has received approval from the Oil and Gas Conservation Division for a projected total depth of 3600 feet.  

Golden Black Hawk – Dun Glen Update  

FOR A “FREE” 2011 DUN GLEN GOLD EXPLORATION SUMMARY REPORT  

Email Kevin M. Murphy – CEO at CEO@BlackHawkExploration.com  

Black Hawk Blue Lithium Energy Update  

Black Hawk has mobilized lithium exploration with the expansion of its property acquisition budget. The Company’s geologists have recommended 10 exploration sites. Our comprehensive lithium exploration criteria and target mapping for our 2011 expansion will allow us to proceed with the staking and exploration of multiple new lithium opportunities for BHWX.  

Visit our CEO BLOG for current management news at www.BlackHawkExploration.com  

“Safe Harbor” Statement : Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements in all press releases that relate to the company’s expectations, with regard to the future impact on the company’s results from new projects in development, are forward-looking statements. A complete disclosure of our “SAFE HARBOR “statement is posted on our website at www.BlackHawkExploration.com under the heading “NEWS”.

For More Information Contact
Investor Relations
Equiti-trend
+1-800-953-3350
www.blackhawkexploration.com
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The Laclede Group Names Scott E. Jaskowiak President of Its Laclede Energy Resources Subsidiary

St. Louis, January 27, 2011 - The Board of Directors of The Laclede Group, Inc. (NYSE: LG) elected Scott E. Jaskowiak to the position of President of The Group’s non-regulated natural gas marketing subsidiary, Laclede Energy Resources, Inc. (LER). LER is The Laclede Group’s second largest subsidiary in terms of revenue, generating approximately $860 million in business in fiscal 2010.

Mr. Jaskowiak, 48, has been the Vice President & General Manager of LER since February 2005. Prior to that position, he was the Managing Director of LER. He joined Laclede Gas in 1985 as an engineer and has held numerous positions within the utility’s operating departments and, since 2001, in LER.

Mr. Jaskowiak received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri-Rolla) in 1985 and a Masters of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1990.

About The Laclede Group  

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, The Laclede Group, Inc. is a public utility holding company committed to providing reliable natural gas service through its regulated core utility operations, while engaging in non-regulated activities that provide opportunities for sustainable growth. Its subsidiary Laclede Gas Company, the regulated operations of which are included in the Regulated Gas Distribution segment, serves nearly 630,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the City of St. Louis and parts of 10 counties in eastern Missouri. Laclede Group’s primary non-regulated business, Laclede Energy Resources, Inc., is included within the Non-Regulated Gas Marketing segment. For more information about Laclede Group and its subsidiaries, visit www.TheLacledeGroup.com.

For More Information Contact
Justin Gioia
The Laclede Group, Inc.
+1-314-342-0865
www.TheLacledeGroup.com
jgioia@lacledegas.com
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Region 4 News Release: 11-67-ATL (23)
Jan. 27, 2011
Contact: Michael D’Aquino       Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2076       404-562-2078
E-mail: D’Aquino.Michael@dol.gov       Wald.Michael@dol.gov

US Labor Department’s OSHA fines Meridian, Miss., textile
company more than $46,000 for safety and health hazards

MERIDIAN, Miss. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Roytex Inc. in Meridian with 18 serious safety and health violations for exposing workers to electrical hazards, flaking lead paint, asbestos and other hazards. Proposed fines total $46,340.

Following a safety inspection, OSHA has cited Roytex for 14 serious violations with a proposed penalty of $33,740. The hazards include failing to provide fixed stairs and railings where required; lack of a back-up alarm for a powered industrial truck; failing to block the wheels of trailers being loaded and unloaded; several electrical deficiencies; and failing to provide machine guarding at pinch points between the belt and pulley on the conveyor.

A separate health inspection revealed four serious violations with $12,600 in proposed penalties. These include failing to treat and label insulation-containing asbestos; monitoring for employee exposure to asbestos; failing to keep surfaces free from accumulation of lead from flaking and pealing wall paint; and failing to provide a written hazard communication program addressing how to work safely with hazardous chemicals.

“OSHA will not allow companies to endanger the safety and health of its workers as a means to reduce business expenses,” said Clyde Payne, OSHA’s area director in Jackson, Miss.

The textile company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by OSHA’s Jackson Area Office, 3780 Interstate 55 N., Suite 210, Jackson, Miss. 39211; telephone 601-965-4606. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

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.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.