FITNESS BUSINESS CITED FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO EMPLOYEES

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Xsport Fitness in Libertyville, Ill.,
for failing to provide workers with personal protective equipment

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Capital Fitness Inc., which operates as Xsport Fitness in Libertyville, Ill., with four repeat safety violations for failing to provide personal protective equipment to employees working with hazardous chemicals. The complaint inspection in November resulted in proposed penalties totaling $60,000.

"Xsport Fitness has a responsibility to know the hazards that exist in their workplace and to provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment," said Diane Turek, OSHA's area director at the Chicago North office in Des Plaines. "Employers who are cited for repeat violations demonstrate a lack of commitment to employee safety and health."

The repeat violations were cited for failing to provide eye, face and hand protection for workers using liquid and other hazardous chemicals, develop and implement a written hazard communication program, provide material safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals in use and train workers and provide them with information regarding hazardous chemicals in their work area. A repeat violation exists 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. Similar violations were cited in May 2012 at the Fullerton Avenue facility in Chicago.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the 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.