U.S. Department of Labor and Massachusetts Packaging Company and Staffing Agencies Reach Agreements to Enhance Workplace Safeguards

SPRINGFIELD, MA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Shield Packaging Co. Inc., ASI Staffing Group Corp., and Southern Mass Staffing have reached agreements to correct hazards and enhance safety following a May 2016 incident in which an employee was injected with a flammable propellant gas.

OSHA found that the Dudley, Massachusetts, company – which packages aerosol containers – failed to implement required procedures to lock out the machine’s power sources or train the employee on how to recognize and avoid the hazard.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Shield Packaging will pay $150,000 in penalties; provide OSHA with documentation that all hazards have been corrected; retain a professional engineer to approve the design and installation of a safety interlock on the machine that injured the worker; retain a qualified safety consultant to perform a comprehensive inspection of the plant; and develop a workplace safety and health program.

OSHA also cited ASI Staffing Group Corp. of Leominster, and Southern Mass Staffing of Worcester; the temporary staffing agencies that supplied more than half of the workers at Shield Packaging. ASI Staffing agreed to pay $12,471 in penalties, implement comprehensive safety and health measures at all host companies, and delineate safety responsibilities between ASI and its host companies. Southern Mass Staffing agreed to pay a $12,222 penalty, attend safety and health training, implement a written safety and health management system, and hire an outside safety consultant.

“The Shield Packaging Co. Inc., ASI Staffing Group Corp., and Southern Mass Staffing are jointly responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for temporary workers,” said OSHA Area Director Mary Hoye. “These settlements will help ensure that a comprehensive safety program will be developed to protect all workers – permanent and temporary – from injuries and illnesses.”

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.