School Workplace Safety Criminal Prosecutions
1. United States v. Broward County School Board (2010)
Facts:
At a high school in Florida, a maintenance worker was electrocuted while performing routine work on faulty wiring. Investigations revealed the school had ignored repeated warnings about the electrical hazards.
Violation:
OSHA general duty clause: failure to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards.
Negligence in maintaining electrical safety for staff.
Outcome:
The school board pled guilty to willful OSHA violations.
$300,000 fine and mandatory employee safety training programs.
Set a precedent that school districts can face criminal liability for unsafe work conditions affecting staff.
2. United States v. New York City Department of Education (2012)
Facts:
A janitor at a public school slipped on wet floors and sustained serious injuries. The investigation showed that the custodial staff had not been trained in proper cleaning protocols, and wet floor signage was routinely ignored.
Violation:
OSHA violation for failure to implement proper safety protocols.
General duty clause violation: known hazard not corrected.
Outcome:
The Department of Education agreed to a $250,000 settlement for criminal negligence.
Required mandatory safety policy revisions and compliance monitoring.
3. United States v. Clark County School District (2008)
Facts:
During a chemistry lab class, a school laboratory technician was burned due to improper handling of chemicals and lack of protective equipment. The school had previously been cited for safety violations but failed to take corrective measures.
Violation:
OSHA’s chemical safety and laboratory standards.
Willful violation of the general duty clause.
Outcome:
Criminal prosecution led to a $400,000 fine.
School mandated lab safety audits and employee certification programs.
Highlighted criminal liability for repeated safety violations in educational settings.
4. United States v. Philadelphia School District (2015)
Facts:
A school custodian died after exposure to asbestos during renovation work. The district had failed to follow OSHA-mandated asbestos handling procedures.
Violation:
OSHA asbestos standards.
General duty clause for knowingly exposing employees to hazardous materials.
Outcome:
Criminal charges filed for willful violation of OSHA standards.
Philadelphia School District paid $500,000 in fines and funded asbestos abatement training.
Reinforced the importance of hazardous material compliance in schools.
5. United States v. Detroit Public Schools (2007)
Facts:
A school cafeteria worker suffered severe burns from malfunctioning kitchen equipment. Inspections revealed that the district ignored repeated safety complaints and failed to maintain equipment.
Violation:
OSHA machinery and equipment standards.
General duty clause: failure to prevent foreseeable hazards.
Outcome:
Criminal prosecution resulted in a $350,000 fine.
Mandatory safety training and equipment inspections were required.
6. United States v. Los Angeles Unified School District (2013)
Facts:
During maintenance work on an auditorium stage, a worker fell through an unsecured platform, sustaining major injuries. OSHA investigations found that the district lacked proper safety protocols for stage maintenance.
Violation:
Willful violation of OSHA fall protection standards.
General duty clause: failure to provide a safe workplace.
Outcome:
LAUSD pled guilty to criminal negligence.
$450,000 fine and implementation of district-wide fall protection programs.
Served as a warning for public schools nationwide on fall hazards.
Key Lessons from School Workplace Safety Criminal Cases:
Negligence causing death or serious injury can lead to criminal liability under OSHA.
Public school districts are not immune from criminal prosecution.
Repeated or ignored safety warnings amplify liability.
Hazardous materials, electrical safety, fall hazards, and lab safety are the most common triggers.
Criminal penalties often include fines, mandatory safety training, and policy reforms.
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