U.S. Department of Labor | ||||||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
OSHA News Release
2001 - 04/17/2001 - KEARNY, NEW JERSEY FILM COMPANY CITED BY OSHA FOR ALLEGED SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS FOLLOWING SERIOUS EMPLOYEE INJURY; $197,250 IN PENALTIES PROPOSED |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
Region 2 News Release: NY 130
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- failure to properly guard the nip points of machinery. - failure to provide appropriate foot protection for employees. - failure to provide authorized personnel with individual de-energizing machinery locks. - failure to follow proper lockout/tagout procedures when performing machine maintenance. - failure to provide fire extinguisher training to employees. |
The alleged willful violations carry a total proposed penalty of $174,000.
"This employer made no attempt to install machine guarding on his equipment, even after the serious injury to one of his employees,"Ippolito said. "The willful disregard shown by this employer with respect to employee safety meant that another machine operator, who was not even briefed about the previous accident, could be exposed to the same hazard."
Among the alleged serious violations for which OSHA cited the company are:
- failure to establish specific lockout/tagout procedures. - failure to properly guard the points of operation of machinery, including grinders, belts and pulleys and failure to eliminate electrical hazards. - failure to keep exits unobstructed. - failure to provide a hearing conservation program for employees. - failure to properly store flammable liquids. - failure to enforce the wearing and use of personal protective equipment. - failure to establish a blood borne pathogen training program. |
The alleged serious violations carry a total proposed penalty of $21,250.
In addition, OSHA cited the firm for alleged other-than-serious violations, including:
- failure to provide respiratory training for employees. - failure to properly monitor employee exposure to formaldehyde. - failure to maintain material safety data sheets for each chemical used in the plant. |
The alleged other-than-serious violations carry a total proposed penalty of $2,000.
A willful violation is defined by OSHA as one committed with an intentional disregard for, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the OSH Act and regulations. A serious violation is defined as a condition which exists where there is a substantial possibility that death or serious physical harm can result. An other-than-serious violation is a hazardous condition that would probably not cause death or serious physical harm, but would have a direct and immediate relationship to the safety and health of employees.
The investigation was conducted by OSHA's Parsippany area office, located at 299 Cherry Hill Road, Suite 304, Parsippany, N. J. Telephone: (973) 263-1003.
The company has until May 1 to contest the citations.
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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