Altamont Ambulance Contesting OSHA Findings

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Published on July 19 2016 3:20 pm
Last Updated on July 19 2016 3:22 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Altamont Ambulance Service Inc. is contesting the findings of an OSHA inspection earlier this year. OSHA is recommending penalties of $290,100 for alleged violations.

The OSHA Office in Fairview Heights opened inspections of Altamont Ambulance in January, after receiving a complaint alleging violations of OSHA's bloodborne pathogen exposure and various other health and safety standards. The agency met with the company, conducted an inspection, reviewed documents, and reviewed the facilities, and interviewed the employees. The agency alleges Altamont Ambulance failed to comply in 14 cited areas.

Altamont Ambulance had 15 business days to respond after receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings.

The area director, Aaron Priddy, said Altamont Ambulance has responded and plans to contest the findings. Priddy said the matter will go before a review commission and would then be assigned to an administrative law judge. He said the case could take months to decide.

At the time the OSHA findings and recommended penalties were announced, Altamont Ambulance Chief Operating Officer J.D. Welton released a statement that read, in part, "We are looking forward to working with OSHA to resolve any issues identified."