Xsport Fitness Fined For Workplace Safety Hazards

Federal safety regulators have fined a Libertyville-based fitness club chain for exposing its workers to workplace safety hazards including dangerous chemicals. About $60,000 in proposed fines against Xsport Fitness, also known as Capital Fitness Inc., were announced by the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA officials that Xsport Fitness employees were exposed to a variety of serious workplace injuries arising out of the companys failure to provide them with the proper safety equipment.

Xsport Fitness has a responsibility to know the hazards that exist in their workplace and to provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment, said Diane Turek, OSHAs area director at the Chicago North office in Des Plaines. Employers who are cited for repeat violations demonstrate a lack of commitment to employee safety and health.

OSHA officials noted that this is not the first time that the Chicago-area health club chain has been in trouble for lax safety policies. The most recent safety citations are considered repeat workplace safety violations because similar violations were found last May at the Fullerton Avenue club in Chicago.

Xsport has 15 business days from the receipt of the OSHA fine letter to contest its fines or pay them. It is unclear how many workers, if any, have been injured as a result of the companys safety violations.

Source: OSHA, US Labor Departments OSHA cites Xsport Fitness in Libertyville, Ill., for failing to provide workers with personal protective equipment, Region 5 News Release: 12-2463-CHI

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