OSHA cited Federal Laboratories Corp., Alden, N.Y., and proposed penalties of $146,000 against the firm for 10 alleged failure to abate previously cited violations plus five new alleged violations of OSHA standards.
The action results from a follow-up investigation initiated Nov. 8, because OSHA never received any response to citations issued to the firm in June 2000, according to OSHA area director David Boyce.
Federal Laboratories produces powdered shark cartilage, caffeine and other powdered nutrients and employs 12 workers.
OSHA issued failure-to-abate notices for several violations, including a lack of standard guardrails on open work platforms; a respiratory protection program; no lockout/tagout program and lack of a hazard communication program.
The serious violations for which the employer was cited included:
- failure to keep fire exits free of obstructions;
- failure to select and enforce the use of proper hand protection when employees'' hands were exposed to thermal burns;
- failure to properly secure propane tanks to a forklift truck, and ensure the forklift truck had a locating pin to properly position the propane tank on the vehicle.
The company has until May 29 to contest the citations.
by Virginia Sutcliffe