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Workplace safety agency cites departures from safety rules, inadequate supervision
(BALTIMORE, 7/30/10) -- Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH), a unit of the Department of
Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR), today confirmed that it has issued two citations containing a total
of four violations, three of which were designated as serious, against the Washington Metropolitan Area
Transit Authority (WMATA). The violations are the result of an investigation into a workplace accident
resulting in fatal injuries to two Metrorail workers in Rockville, Maryland, in January 2010.
An employer has a general duty to provide a safe and healthful workplace, free of recognized hazards.
MOSH’s investigation revealed departures from WMATA’s own safety rules. MOSH worked with the U.S. National
Transportation Safety Board, which ordinarily does not investigate workplace accidents but did in this case
because of WMATA’s recent history of accidents. MOSH is required by law to complete investigations faster
than NTSB, hence the issuance of citations while NTSB’s investigation is ongoing. The NTSB investigates
public transportation accidents, decides on a probable cause, and issues safety recommendations.
Ron DeJuliis, Commissioner of Labor and Industry at DLLR, emphasized that MOSH’s investigation focused on
the facts and circumstances leading up to this tragic event. MOSH is recommending several abatement steps to
WMATA, including developing a reliable communications system throughout Metrorail that has dedicated
frequencies and is free of dead zones and interference from outside radio transmissions.
Employers cited by MOSH are required to abate violations within 15 business days unless they choose to
contest the citations.
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