May 01--Federal labor authorities are proposing $49,000 in fines against the owner of the five-star Halekulani hotel in Waikiki for 14 "serious" safety violations discovered during a routine inspection.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Tuesday the Halekulani Corp.'s citations involve personal protective equipment use and availability, inspection and maintenance of fire extinguishers and problems with electrical safe-work practices by maintenance workers, such as the provision of appropriate equipment for electrical work.

"Halekulani has an obligation to protect its staff and ensure a safe working environment," Galen Lemke, director of OSHA's Honolulu area office, said in a news release.

The Halekulani, which employs more than 800 workers, said that it immediately addressed all of the issues cited during a January inspection and is working to rectify any other citations.

"There is nothing of greater importance, nor that we take more seriously, than the safety and well-being of our guests and our staff, which will always be our unconditional priority," Peter Shaindlin, Halekulani Corp.'s chief operating officer, said in a statement.

Among OSHA's findings, the hotel had failed to provide training in hazardous waste operations and emergency response standards.

OSHA labeled the Halekulani violations as "serious," meaning there is substantial probability that death or severe physical harm may result from a hazard that an employer knew or should have known.

The 450-room hotel has been cited twice before by the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division. One of the violations in 2008 was related to woodworking machinery, while an inspection in 2004, in which the employer received four citations including a repeat violation, involved faulty wiring methods.

OSHA said it began an investigation Jan. 16 during a regularly scheduled inspection.

Halekulani has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, meet with OSHA's area director or contest the findings to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

OSHA said if the same hazards are found during future inspections, the employer could be cited for significantly greater penalties.

___

(c)2013 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services