JACKSON, MS – Franklin Lumber Co. of Bude, MS, which has been cited for 22 violations, including combustible dust, by the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Franklin was cited by for several violations by OSHA in 2008 as part of a fatality related inspection. The citations carry penalties totaling $103,356.

The inspection of Franklin's operations was initiated by OSHA as part of its national emphasis program to reduce employees' exposure to combustible dust hazards.

In addition to the alleged excess accumulations of combustible dust, Franklin Lumber was cited for 15 other serious violations including management's failure to provide guardrails around equipment; remove defective industrial trucks from service; and provide proper machine guards.

The company also was cited for four repeat violations related to the 2008 inpsection, including failing to cover live electrical parts, use permanent wiring instead of flexible cords, properly label hazardous chemicals and provide machine guards for pulleys.

Franklin Lumber is a division of Cortez Byrd LP. of Brookhaven, MS.