FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND
HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION
�����������������������������������������������������������
OFFICE
OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES
�����������
������� � March 21, 2013
SECRETARY OF LABOR, |
: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : |
CIVIL PENALTY PROCEEDINGS
Docket No. YORK 2009-237-M A.C. No. 30-00930-195466 Docket No. YORK 2010-342-M A.C. No. 30-000930-230641 Mine: Slate Hill Sand and Gravel |
DECISION APPROVING SETTLEMENT AFTER HEARING
Appearances: Terrence Duncan,
Esq., Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor,
����������������������� New York, New York, on behalf of the
Petitioner;
����������������������� Tina M. Stanczewski, Esq.,
Law Office of Adele Abrams, P.C.,
����������������������� Beltsville, Maryland, on
behalf of the Respondent.
Before: ���������� Judge Feldman
����������� This proceeding is before me upon a petition for
assessment of civil penalty filed pursuant to section 105(d) of the Federal
Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (�the Act�)
A
hearing on these matters was held on February 5 and February 6, 2013, in
Middletown, New York. The parties subsequently informed me that a resolution
has been reached through negotiation.�
The Secretary has filed a settlement motion for Docket No. YORK
2009-237M
Docket No. YORK 2009-237M
����������� Docket No. YORK 2009-237M involves one 104(d)(1) citation and one 104(d)(1) order issued against E. Tetz
& Sons Inc. (�Tetz & Sons�) on July 1, 2009.� Both allege that the cited violative
conditions were attributable to an unwarrantable failure.� Citation No. 6534197 alleges that the rear
service brakes on a loader were not maintained in functional condition in
violation of 30 C.F.R. � 56.14101(a)(3).� Specifically, Citation No. 6534197 states:
A brake
line was damaged rendering the rear brakes inoperable.�
The
condition has existed and been reported for at least two shifts.� The loader is used throughout the mine site
and travels grades and loads trucks.�
Foreman, Gary Tetz [Jr.], had stated to [the] MSHA inspector that he had
taken the loader out of service for the braking problem.� Later the loader was observed [by the issuing
mine inspector to be] back in service and loading trucks.� Foreman, Tetz, engaged in aggravated conduct
constituting more than ordinary negligence by placing the loader back into
service knowing the brake system defect existed.� This violation is an unwarrantable failure to
comply with a mandatory standard.�
Order
No. 6534198 alleges that the parking brakes on the same loader did not hold
As the
parking brake violation cited in Order No. 6534198 was not likely to result in
serious injury, the evidence does not support a finding that the negligence
attributable to
Docket No. YORK 2010-342M
����������� Docket No. YORK 2010-342M involves a petition for
assessment of civil penalty
Whenever a corporate operator violates a mandatory
health or safety standard . . . any director, officer, or agent of such
corporation who knowingly authorized, ordered, or carried out such violation,
failure, or refusal shall be subject to the same civil penalties . . .
30 U.S.C. �
820(c).� An individual is subject to personal liability under
section 110(c)
����������� The Secretary asserts that Gary Tetz, Jr. is personally
liable for the condition alleged
I
have considered the representations and documentation submitted in this matter,
ARE
GRANTED.�
Pursuant
to the parties� agreements, E. Tetz & Sons, Inc. IS ORDERED to pay
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED
that Gary Tetz, Jr. shall pay a $2,300.00 civil penalty, based upon his
personal liability under section 110(c) of the Act, in satisfaction of Citation
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that payment shall be made within 30 days of the date
����������������������������������������������������������������������� /s/
Jerold Feldman�����
����������� ����������������������������������������������������������� Jerold
Feldman
����������� ����������� ����������������������� ����������������������� Administrative Law Judge����������������������������
Distribution:
Terrence Duncan, Esq., U.S.
Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, 201 Varick Street, Room 938, New
York, NY 10014
Tina M. Stanczewski, Esq.,
Law Office of Adele Abrams, P.C., 4740 Corridor Road, Suite D, Beltsville, MD
20705
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/tmw
���� 1�� Payment
should be sent to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Labor, Payment Office,