OSHA's Aug. 5 announcement of $158,200 in fines against U.S. Minerals LLC of Dyer, Ind., is the latest six-figures-or-higher penalty assessed by the agency. This one against the manufacturer of abrasive blasting materials, including coal slag, followed an inspection of its Baldwin, Ill., plant that began in February. OSHA said $112,000 of the fines, and willful and repeat violations, were issued for alleged failure to provide fall protection on platforms more than 30 feet off the ground. Lockout/tagout violations also were included.

OSHA said it inspected the same Baldwin plant of U.S. Minerals LLC in 2007, and the company received 18 citations at that time. "There is no excuse for a company to disregard the safety and welfare of its workers by not following OSHA safety standards," said OSHA Area Director Nick Walters in Fairview Heights, Ill. "Those who ignore safe practices and OSHA regulations are inviting tragedy into the lives of their workers."