I understand what you're saying bjb, and I'm responding to the other posters blogs...in case you didn't take the time, there are several posts that write "some employees weren't feelin the love..."
I haven't read the companies response, I didn't know they had issued one. Besides, I'm not accusing the company of anything. My blog clearly points out that regardless of who reported the issue, meaning if an employee called it in, etc. it doesn't matter because they were found to be out of compliance. Is there any disputing that information based on this article?
Perhaps you ought to retake reading comprehension.

Lakennedy-Maybe you did not do so well in reading comprehension or do not understand the legal process, but the article clearly states that these are allegations by OSHA. If you took the time to read the company's response in the Local News, you would understand that there are two sides to every story.

LMAO. Or what, Mrdelong? "They better stay away from my company, that's all I have to say." Good One.
I'm sure they will stay away from your company as long as you're in compliance. OSHA is not the enemy here. Even if it was just some ridiculous employee with a grudge on his/her shoulder that reported the problem, it doesn't matter. They broke the law.

Sounds like CRT has an employee who just was not feeling the love. Running a business in America is such a joy.

you know maybe Osha should put the fine money toward the problem not in their pocket. This company is trying to fix this problem and instead of helping with any kind of new suggestions they instead fine the company. So, the money they could put toward fixing a problem is now taken out of the companies pocket and then where does the problem go??? Ahhh it is still there!!! This company has done what it has been told by Osha to do and since there is still a problem (alot smaller than before the company found out about this problem) don't help them Osha, hinder???

I think people need to look at the big picture here! CRT is a leader in the recycling world and they are going to have a few issues here and there. To personally attach the company for doing a great job at making our enviroment a safe one is not right. So please take in to consideration all the time and money the company has provided for all the training and PPD equipment to make it a safe place to work. Also the employees are fully aware of the rule and regulations at the facility. As with any company it is very hard to make sure every employee is following the rule. As for the employee they are all human and make mistakes.

There is a health issue for the employees...that is more of a concern to me. I think it would be great if OSHA worked with them on solutions, rather than fines. I wasn't addressing the "big picture", because to me the bigger concern is people's health.

Obviously someone inside the company complained or OSHA wouldn't be there. There are two possibilities for someone to complain.
1: They are unhappy and just trying to hurt the company.

OR

2: The company is truly doing something wrong or ignoring safety to their workers.

OSHA Doesn't just pop into small places like this for no reason.

JCampbell: What is with the defensiveness? I don't think OSHA is trying to shut them down. I would also think they are not blind to the fact that monitors being put in a landfill is a bad idea. If the process of recycling the monitors is hurting the workers then a solution needs to be found. Not one word in this article pertained to them getting shut down and monitors getting thrown into the landfill.

This is a tough issue. OSHA regulations seem to be a bit out of sync with the need for waste electronics recycling. A number of companies in the San Francisco Bay area have suffered similar OSHA (and EPA) violations. In the case I'm thinking of (and I can't remember the name of the company), the recycled computers ultimately were used for charity. Yet, the company in question got hit for issues related to worker safety and harardous waste. This seems like a case of no good deed going unpunished. Even if the fine is reversed, fighting a case like this (in itself) is a huge effort.

If they put this company out of business, the crt's are going to find their way into the landfill or some other unacceptable place. Instead of hurting these companies, OSHA should be helping them find solutions to the proposed problems. Use power as a positive influence on society, not as an oppressive tool.

Leostime36-Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Until the company has had a chance to respond to the allegations, the inspection records and company records have been reviewed by the OSHRC, it may be premature to jump to conclusions. How convenient that OSHA fails to mention that the company has been working with their own agency since February of 2007.

leostime36 I am fully aware that this article is about osha and employees but it goes farther than just employee safety. If crt didn't do what they do all of those computers would be in a dump somewhere leaching in to your precious drinking water leostime36. so my comment was legitimate. osha isn't considering the whole picture and neither are you leostime36.

In my opinion, This company is working hard for their employees. They have put thousands of dollars in to training and safety equipment for the employees safety. Osha in this case is hurting the employees and community more that helping!!

Jcampbell-I think this is about the employees SAFETY. Nothing in the article says the company wasn't doing a good thing.

If they shut down the company the workers get to find a new job or go on unemployment. Osha will go in high with the fines and citations at first and then work to a reasonable solution for both parties.....usually.
I understand they have provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)and training but it is tough to keep up with the ever changing OSHA rules.

If you have ever been to crt you would know that it is a great company! They aren't simply dismantling electronics, they are helping to save human's wasteful behinds. no one ever takes the time to wonder where the computer your typing on now will go when it's dead. I don't know about anyone else but, I would rather have it recycled in a secure manner than thrown in a dump. Not only are they making our lives safer they are making something deemed unusable to society usable again. so before people start screaming off with their heads maybe they should take look at the impact of not having CRT!

But what is the impact on the workers? Let's say that OSHA makes the company shut down until the problem is rectified...are the employees out of a paycheck or do they get compensated in some way?

To OSHA.

Do the workers that were impacted by these substances get anything out of this? Where does the OSHA fine money go to?