A judge with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) has found that Jersey City Medical Center willfully failed to train a worker who died.
In June 2016, a maintenance employee was repairing a ceiling light fixture died from a fatal fall after receiving an electric shock.
"The outcome of this case shows the employer will be held accountable for willfully exposing employees to serious hazards, and the U.S. Department of Labor stands ready to litigate such issues when employers refuse to accept responsibility," said Jeffrey S. Rogoff, New York regional solicitor.
The worker was untrained for the hazardous electrick work he was directed to perform, which led to numerous safety and health citations for the medical center.
A three-day hearing was held in New York City in April 2018, and the decision from OSHRC issued on June 17, 2019. The judge affirmed all of the citation in addition OSHA's proposed penalties totaling $174,593.
Jersey City Medical Center is based in Jersey City, New Jersey.