Newark metal treatment company faces $87K penalty for exposing workers to fall, chemical, electrical, and compressed gas hazards

July 14, 2016

Employer name: Bennett Heat Treating and Brazing Co. Inc.

Inspection site: 690 Ferry St., Newark, New Jersey

Citations issued: On July 8, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to Bennett Heat Treating and Brazing Co. Inc. for one other-than-serious and 29 serious safety and health violations.

Inspection findings: OSHA initiated an inspection on Jan. 8, 2016, as part of the agency’s Health-High-Hazard Top 50 Local Emphasis Program. A follow-up inspection to address multiple safety violations noted during the first inspection took place on Feb. 23, 2016.

The agency cited the serious violations because the company exposed employees to approximately 9-foot falls, improperly stored compressed gases, multiple electrical hazards and used corrosive chemicals without a proper decontamination shower. Bennett also failed to properly label anhydrous ammonia and provide employees handling the gas with proper personal protective equipment, labeling, and emergency showers.

Quote: “Bennett Heat Treating and Brazing Co. failed to follow required safety and health standards intended to protect its employees by preventing serious work-related injuries, long-term illnesses or worse,” said Brian Flynn, acting director at OSHA’s Parsippany Area Office. “Falls are one of the leading causes of workplace deaths and the improper use of compressed gases and chemicals can lead to disaster if not addressed. This employer must immediately address the hazards we identified.”

Proposed penalties: $87,500

The citations can be viewed at:
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/BennettHeatTreatingandBrazingCo_1131611.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/BennettHeatTreatingandBrazingCo_1121108.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 Parsippany Area Office at 973-263-1003.

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.