By Bill Grimes
The Effingham Daily News
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. — An official from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration confirmed Tuesday that Altamont Ambulance Inc. has informed the federal agency that it is contesting a federal inspection earlier this year in which the company was found wanting in 15 areas having to do with safety — most notably bloodborne pathogen exposure.
OSHA is recommending penalties totaling nearly $300,000. Altamont Ambulance could have complied with the ruling and paid the money, requested an informal conference with Area Director Aaron Priddy at the agency’s Fairview Heights office, or contested the findings. Assistant Area Director Karl Armstrong said the company has chosen to contest the findings.
Armstrong said the case is being forwarded to the OSHA Review Commission before being assigned to an administrative law judge, who would then make a decision. Armstrong said, however, there is no timetable for a resolution.
According to the Review Commission website, the case will be docketed and assigned to a judge in either Washington DC, Denver or Atlanta. Once the judge makes a decision, a party can seek further review from the commission itself.
Both Chairwoman Cynthia Attwood and Commissioner Heather MacDougall have extensive experience in labor law; Attwood with the federal government and MacDougall in the private sector. The third slot on the commission is currently vacant
There are 12 administrative law judges assigned to the Review Commission, under the direction of Chief Judge Covette Rooney in Washington DC. Rooney is a former attorney with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Story continues below video
Armstrong said it is far too early to know when the case might be heard.
“We’re still in the initial processing phase,” he said.
Altamont Ambulance owner Terry White declined to comment.
“We don’t discuss our negotiations with anyone,” White said.
Copyright 2016 the Effingham Daily News