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OSHA cites hauler in death

Organization lists six violations and fines totaling $60,000 against Burgmeier’s

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Burgmeier’s Hauling and a related firm in connection with the death of an employee in October in a logging accident.

It’s an open case, and a conference is scheduled for informal discussions about it between Burgmeier’s and OSHA, according to Christopher Robinson, area director for OSHA in Pittsburgh.

OSHA lists a total of six violations, with fines totaling $60,000, related to the Oct. 28 death of Steven K. Shiffler, 63, Altoona, in an area near Walker Lane in Antis Township, according to the OSHA website.

Reportedly, Shiffler was cutting down a tree, which fell onto another tree, breaking a branch off the second tree that fell onto Shiffler, killing him instantly.

Shiffler was an equipment operator for Burgmeier’s, according to his obituary.

Burgmeier’s had no comment on the citations.

“It’s still in process,” company controller Steve Kasun said.

Resolving the matter could take a few weeks or a year, depending on the outcome of the informal conference and whether the company contests the citations, whether there is a formal conference with the area director or his designee and whether the matter eventually goes to a hearing before an administrative law judge, according to Robinson.

OSHA cited Burgmeier’s Hauling for two violations, one under “general requirements” for personal protective equipment, and one under “logging operations,” according to the OSHA website.

The listed penalties for those violations total $24,576.

OSHA cited Burgmeier’s Hauling’s sister company, Blair County Resource Recovery Facility, for four violations, one under general requirements for personal protective equipment and three under logging operations.

The listed penalties for those violations total $35,498.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.

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