New York Manufacturer Cited by OSHA for Repeat Safety Violations at Long Island Plant
After an employee suffered a fractured hand at the facility, OSHA investigators discovered a series of issues at U.S. Nonwoven Corp.
A New York home and personal care fabric product manufacturer is facing $287,212 in fines for “repeat and serious” safety violations at a plant in Hauppauge, New York, OSHA announced on July 26.
The agency investigated U.S. Nonwoven Corp. after an employee suffered a fractured hand at the Long Island facility. His injury was a result of his hand getting caught in a fabric softener sheet-cutting machine, the investigators found.
As a result of their wide-ranging inspection, OSHA cited the company for lack of machine guards, failing to provide training on lockout/tagout procedures, and failing to properly evaluate and train forklift operators on safety protections. In addition, U.S. Nonwoven Corp was found to expose employees to fire and smoke inhalation hazards and not properly maintain its storage of materials.
“Companies are required by law to train employees and provide appropriate measures to protect workers from workplace injuries,” OSHA Long Island Area Director Anthony Ciuffo said in a statement.
The company also failed to report an amputation or provide illness and injury records to OSHA in a timely manner, according to the report. U.S. Nonwoven Corp has 15 days from receipt of the citations to either comply, request a meeting with an area director or contest the findings.