US Labor Department's OSHA cites Wisconsin-based food and beverage
manufacturer for repeat safety hazards at Flemington, NJ, facility
manufacturer for repeat safety hazards at Flemington, NJ, facility
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Kerry Ingredients & Flavours Inc., headquartered in Beloit, Wis., for three repeat violations at its Flemington facility. Proposed penalties total $50,000 following an inspection conducted under OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program for industries with high injury and illness rates.
"Not using proper safeguards leaves workers at risk of serious injury," said Patricia Jones, director of OSHA's Avenel Area Office. "Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure a safe and healthful workplace."
The violations involve amputation and laceration hazards due to a lack of lockout procedures for the energy sources of specific equipment, and the improper adjustment of bench rests and guards on a bench grinder. Similar violations were cited at the company's Chicago facility in May and October 2008. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
"Employers can take proactive steps alongside workers to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions by establishing an injury and illness prevention program," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York.
Kerry Ingredients & Flavours Inc. manufactures cereal, soft drinks and seasonings, and employs 45 workers at the Flemington site. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Avenel office at 732-750-3270.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
"Not using proper safeguards leaves workers at risk of serious injury," said Patricia Jones, director of OSHA's Avenel Area Office. "Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure a safe and healthful workplace."
The violations involve amputation and laceration hazards due to a lack of lockout procedures for the energy sources of specific equipment, and the improper adjustment of bench rests and guards on a bench grinder. Similar violations were cited at the company's Chicago facility in May and October 2008. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
"Employers can take proactive steps alongside workers to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions by establishing an injury and illness prevention program," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York.
Kerry Ingredients & Flavours Inc. manufactures cereal, soft drinks and seasonings, and employs 45 workers at the Flemington site. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Avenel office at 732-750-3270.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
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