OSHA fines moving and storage company nearly $90K for exposing workers to asbestos hazards at Newark, New Jersey, warehouse

Employer name: Brantley Brothers Moving & Storage Co. Inc.

Investigation site: 168 Elizabeth Ave., Newark, N.J.

Date investigation initiated: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an investigation on Oct. 17, 2014, in response to a complaint.

Investigation findings: OSHA cited the company for 14 serious violations that included:

• Safety and health precautions – such as using a regulated area and personal protective equipment, and conducting exposure monitoring – were not in place for workers removing pipes and pipe insulation containing asbestos;
• Asbestos was not identified and labeled in the storage warehouse;
• Employees were not trained on the proper handling of asbestos and related health hazards; and
• Workers were exposed to fire hazards due to improperly maintained exit routes.

"In 2015, nobody should be surprised to learn that asbestos exposure is dangerous," said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office. "Brantley Brothers required its employees to remove dry asbestos from piping without any personal protection equipment. Asbestos exposure can cause cancer and asbestosis, which is a serious lung disease, so having untrained and unprotected workers conduct such work is both irresponsible and totally unacceptable."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission.

Proposed penalties: $89,600

A copy of the citations is attached.

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