http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090307/NEWS01/903070339/1002/NEWShttp://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090307/NEWS01/903070339/1002/NEWSLuke Rosiak • Staff Writer • March 7, 2009
The University of Rochester took steps to reduce the number of safety citations levied by a federal agency after a worker was paralyzed while working on one of the most powerful lasers in the world last year.
A tentative agreement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration would drop the fine from $57,000 to $25,200 and dismiss two of the nine safety violations announced in January.
Sam Roberts lost an eye and was paralyzed last August when a pressurized aluminum pipe fell on him as he turned a valve below. He returned to Rochester less than two weeks ago from a rehabilitation facility in New Jersey and is now being treated at the Highlands in Brighton, a university facility, where he has begun to use a specialized electric wheelchair.
In a written response to OSHA, UR provided documentation indicating that two charges were unfounded. Because certain preventive measures addressed multiple violations, OSHA grouped some together, reducing the fine while not dismissing the remaining seven charges.
The agency issues such citations when it believes life-threatening safety issues exist in a workplace that employers knew about or should have known about. The agreement awaits final approval from OSHA, but it is expected to be approved.
After the accident, the laser lab shut down for three weeks while the university conducted a sweeping review of safety policies and took corrective action, university and agency officials said. Roberts, a nine-year employee, received 10 months' pay and long-term disability status until he is eligible for workers' compensation, said university spokesman Larry Arbeiter.
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