OSHA fines 2 employers more than $196K
OSHA issued 25 repeat, 15 serious and two other-than-serious safety and health citations to Sterling Seating, a furniture manufacturing plant in North Arlington, New Jersey. On Target Staffing, a staffing company that provided laborers to Sterling, received one repeat and two serious health citations. The inspection was initiated in January after a complaint was received alleging unsafe working conditions at Sterling’s plant. Inspectors observed hazards to temporary workers, resulting in a separate inspection of the staffing company.
Sterling was cited for exposing workers to amputation hazards while operating machinery by not using procedures to prevent inadvertent machine start-up, known as lockout/tagout. The company was also cited for not training employees about the effects of hazardous chemicals used in the workplace, including methylene chloride, combustible dust and formaldehyde. The company also received citations for electrical, exit hazards, and struck-by hazards from boxes stacked unsafely, and for multiple safety violations related to methylene chloride and fire hazards. Proposed penalties in the amount of $176,330 were levied against Sterling.
On Target Staffing was cited for not having a written hazard communication program or training, or documentation of a hazard assessment. Proposed penalties in the amount of $19,800 were levied against the staffing agency.
“Sterling Seating has repeatedly violated basic safety and health standards and exposed its employees to needless hazards,” said Lisa Levy, area director of OSHA’s Hasbrouck Heights Area Office. “Host employers and staffing agencies share a responsibility for worker safety. Those that fail to ensure that safety will be held legally responsible.”
To view the citations:
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/SterlingSeating_1017331and1046869.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/OnTargetStaffingLLC_1042474.pdf