Pillow Manufacturer Cited for Seven Repeat-Serious, Three Serious Violations
The proposed penalties for the Georgia company total $190,758.
- By Alex Saurman
- Jun 14, 2022
A pillow manufacturer, where workers have previously suffered injuries, was recently cited for multiple violations.
According to a press release, Place Vendome Holding Co. Inc. of Swainsboro, Georgia, was cited by OSHA for seven repeat-serious and three serious violations following an inspection in November 2021.
Place Vendome Holding Co. was cited for the repeat-serious violations for exit routes that were blocked, lack of signs and illuminated signs to exit routes as well as unstable stacked materials. The serious violations were for not having a procedure for controlling hazardous energy, not training workers on the procedure and “fail[ing] to ensure that an emergency action plan was developed and implemented meeting the requirements of 1910.38,” according to the citations. Proposed penalties for all violations total $190,758.
"Place Vendome once again exposed their employees needlessly to serious and life-altering hazards," explained OSHA Acting Area Office Director Jose Gonzalez in Savannah, Georgia in the press release. "This ongoing disregard for the safety of their employees is unacceptable, and we will continue to hold them accountable until they follow all necessary federal requirements and take steps to protect workers at this facility.
Since 2020, three workers at the manufacturer have faced amputations. This year, a worker faced lacerations to the hand.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.