OSHA finds New Jersey cleaning products manufacturer exposed workers to chemical, other safety and health hazards

Employer name: Santec Inc.
1420 East Linden Ave.
Linden, New Jersey

Citations issued: On Nov. 4, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the company citations for 11 serious and one other-than-serious violation.

Investigation findings: OSHA’s inspection began on May 5, 2016, after the Avenel Area Office received information about chemical hazards related to improper labeling of chemicals manufactured by Santec Inc.

The agency cited the company with the following serious violations after inspectors found it:

• Failed to properly label hazardous chemicals
• Lacked forklift training and maintenance.
• Exposed employees to electrical hazards
• Lacked guardrails on an open-sided platform 6 feet above ground level.
• Failed to implement a lock out/tag out system to prevent inadvertent machine start-up and provide employee training.
• Did not develop and implement a respiratory protection program, including medical evaluation andemployee training for employees required to use respirators.
• Failed to address exposure to confined space.

OSHA also cited the company for improper storage of compressed gas cylinders containing chemicals including acetylene and improper labeling of shipped chemicals, resulting in the other-than-serious violations.

Quote: “Santec is leaving its employees vulnerable to hazards that can cause serious injury, health issues and possible death,” said Patricia Jones, director of OSHA’s Avenel Area Office. “Employers are legally responsible for providing workers with a safe and healthful workplace. Santec must address each of the identified violations; anything less is unacceptable.”

Proposed penalties: $83,375

The citations can be viewed at: https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/SantecInc_1145409.pdf.

The employer 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 and Health Review Commission.  

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, 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 Area 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.