Cardboard box manufacturer in the Bronx cited by US Labor Departments OSHA for 24 serious violations of safety and health standards

Color Carton Corp. faces more than $62,000 in proposed fines

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. – Color Carton Corp., a cardboard box manufacturer in the Bronx, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 24 alleged serious violations of workplace safety and health standards at the company's 341 Canal Place plant. Proposed penalties total $62,300 following inspections by OSHA's Tarrytown Area Office that were initiated as part of the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which focuses on industries with higher-than-average illness and injury rates.

The violations involve inadequate fall protection, a lack of machine guarding, a blocked exit, not having an energy control program, a lack of overhead crane inspections, platforms with inadequate guardrail systems, a stairway without a handrail, a stairway that was too steep, a forklift missing a cover, unmarked circuit breakers, a worn power cord on a compressor and other electrical hazards such as exposed live parts. Additionally, the company did not have a hearing conservation program to protect workers from excessive noise, eyewash stations for workers exposed to corrosive materials or a hazard communication program for workers exposed to dangerous chemicals.

"Left uncorrected, these hazards expose workers to possible lacerations, amputations, electric shocks, fires, explosions, eye injuries and being unable to exit the workplace swiftly in the event of an emergency," said Diana Cortez, OSHA's area director in Tarrytown. "For the safety and health of its workers, Color Carton Corp. must take effective action to ensure that proper safeguards are in place at all times."

"OSHA encourages employers to implement effective illness and injury prevention programs in which they work together with workers to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions before people are injured or sickened," said Robert Kulick, the agency's regional administrator in New York.

Color Carton Corp. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet informally with OSHA's area director or contest the findings 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 Tarrytown office at 914-524-7510.

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.