Scrap Processor Sentenced on OSHA Criminal Violation Causing Death of Employee

Seyfarth Synopsis: Companies cannot go to prison, but their executives and managers can when they violate the OSHA laws. And, companies can face stiff fines and other business-disrupting (or ending) collateral consequences for conduct resulting in worker deaths. Make sure that your company’s safety programs and training efforts are “up to snuff” if you wish to avoid OSHA liability.

 

The U.S. Department of Justice announced this week that a high volume ferrous and nonferrous scrap processor was sentenced to five years’ probation, and ordered to pay restitution of $350,000 to an employee-victim’s estate.  According to the DOJ the employer was also previously ordered to pay a fine of $520,000 in a related administrative OSHA case. See also Sentencing Memorandum, and Stipulation and Settlement Agreement, U.S.A. v. Behr Iron & Steel, Inc., No. 3:16-CR-50015 (June 30, 2016 and July 12, 2016, respectively).

 

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