Women's Apparel Maker Cited for Bloodborne Pathogens Hazards
OSHA has cited women's apparel manufacturer Alfred Dunner Inc. and Salonika Associates LLC for workplace safety and health hazards found at the companies' shared worksite in Parsippany, N.J. Combined penalties total $51,750.
The agency initiated its inspection on Nov. 2, 2009, as part of its Site-Specific Targeting Program designed for industries with high injury and illness rates.
As a result of the inspection, OSHA has cited Salonika with 15 alleged serious and two other-than-serious violations. The serious safety violations include an inadequate lockout/tagout program of energy sources, employee exposure to live energy sources, a lack of machine guarding, a deficient hazard communication program, and an inadequate respiratory protection program. These violations carry penalties totaling $46,350, while the other-than-serious violations carry no penalty.
The family owned and operated Alfred Dunner, which according to its Web site provides "easycare apparel for the sophisticated woman" and "ladies coordinated sportswear," also has been cited with three alleged serious health violations related to hazards involving bloodborne pathogens. Penalties total $5,400.
OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.
"All of these violations leave workers vulnerable to hazards that can result in injury and illness," said Phillip Peist, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office. "By establishing an effective comprehensive workplace safety and health program that engages employees to proactively evaluate, identify and eliminate hazards, the companies will be better positioned to ensure an overall safe and healthful work environment."
Both companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.