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Community Power Corp. Faces Fines From OSHA

MORRISON, Colo. (AP) - Federal regulators have proposed nearly $67,000 in fines for a Colorado bioenergy company, after an employee's leg was caught by an auger system that unexpectedly began operating.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Wednesday it has cited Community Power Corp. in suburban Denver with one serious safety violation and one willful violation following the accident in February.

The company's BioMax Modular Bioenergy System turns food scraps and other biomass into energy. OSHA alleges the company failed to develop procedures to control potentially hazardous energy when workers were working on the systems, didn't adequately train workers on the procedures, and failed to implement a written program meant to protect workers who enter an enclosed shred-auger bin from hazards.

A company representative didn't immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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