Peoria Manufacturer Shuts Down After Being Cited $144K

USA Technologies in Peoria, IL shuts down after being cited by OSHA for $144K. Approximately 70 employees were laid-off in the process. It's not uncommon, as in this case, for companies that are placed in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) to also experience "...increased insurance premiums and customers backing out, closing down became an obvious decision.

PEORIA - A Peoria company faces a hefty fine for safety violations. Inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, found serious violations at USA Technologies. OSHA says some equipment and machines did not have safety guards at the factory and some hazardous chemicals were not properly labeled. The fine comes out to more than $114,000, but USA Technologies says they plan on meeting with OSHA to hopefully decrease the fines. "They can come in here and basically state their case and attempt to negotiate the penalty, and we'll consider offers that they make, but ultimately, we're looking for the the employer to make very robust change in their comprehensive safety and health program," OSHA Area Director Tom Bielema said. We reached out to USA Technologies. A representative says they think OSHA's fines were a little excessive for being a first time offense, but they say they understand the agency has a job to do, and that's to make sure employees are safe. View the violations at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/USA_Technologies_Inc_1009112_0430_15.pdf.