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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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