Workers Exposed to Chemical Hazards at Fragrance Manufacturer
OSHA has issued one repeat, six serious, and one other-than-serious violation
According to a news release, OSHA has discovered repeat violations at a Ungerer & Company facility when the employer failed to use approved electrical equipment to clean up combustible dust, and did not train employees expected to participate in emergency response operations.
An investigation was prompted after a referral from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency alleging employees suffered respiratory distress from an unknown chemical odor.
Serious violations include: No developed emergency response plan, employees overexposed to hydrogen sulfide, and administrative and engineering controls not implemented, among others.
“Ungerer & Company should immediately implement safeguards to protect its workers from the dangerous risks associated with exposure to combustible dust and chemical hazards,” said Jean Kulp, director of OSHA’s Allentown Area Office. “Employers will be held legally accountable for failing to provide a safe and healthful workplace.”