Workers willfully exposed to amputation hazards at Paterson, New Jersey, manufacturing facility

PATERSON, N.J. — Workers at Film Pak Extrusion LLC were exposed to amputation and other safety and health hazards according to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The company's Paterson manufacturing facility has been cited for one willful and 12 serious workplace violations related to the dangerous conditions. The company manufactures products under the name Frost King, a well-known, do-it-yourself brand of supplies for contractors distributed in stores like Home Depot and Lowes throughout the United States. OSHA initiated the inspection in February and is proposing $90,300 in penalties.

"Machines left without required guards can cause catastrophic injury to workers, including amputation and death. One slip can end a worker's life or livelihood, and employers can prevent that," said Lisa Levy, director of OSHA's Hasbrouck Heights Area Office. "Film Pak Extrusion has a responsibility to put worker safety first."

OSHA inspectors cited the company with a willful violation, with a $56,000 penalty, due to a lack of machine guarding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 9,000 New Jersey workers were injured in the manufacturing industry during 2011, the most recent year with available data. BLS reported 8,200 New Jersey manufacturing workers were injured in 2010. The rate of incidents grew from 3.2 cases per 100 workers in 2010 to 3.6 in 2011. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

Carrying $34,300 in penalties, serious violations were cited for the following:

• An obstructed exit route
• Lack of a lockout/tagout program
• Powered industrial trucks not inspected prior to use
• Lack of a hearing conservation program
• Failure to conduct audiometric testing
• Failure to provide hearing protection and training on hearing protection and noise hazards
• Failure to maintain washing facilities

A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Film Pak Extrusion 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 & 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 Hasbrouck Heights Area Office at 201-288-1700.

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.