OSHA Fines NJ Scrap Metal Recycler for Violations

"These violations leave employees vulnerable to hazards that can cause serious injury and possible death," says Lisa Levy, director of OSHA’s Hasbrouck Heights Area Office. "It's vital that the company take the necessary steps to establish a safe and healthy work environment."

OSHA says the repeat violations include the company's failure to provide proper personal protective equipment, conduct a hazard assessment of the workplace and provide hazard communication training. The citations carry $21,560 in penalties. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. Parkway Iron and Metal was cited for the same violations in March 2010, according to OSHA.

The serious violations involve the lack of a hearing conservation program, inadequate personal protective equipment, improper storage of gas cylinders, an inoperable alarm on a front-end loader, floor holes, missing platform handrails, a blocked fire exit, the removal of valves on compressed gas cylinders, the lack of lockout/tagout procedures to control machines' energy sources, powered industrial trucks left unattended, the lack of valve caps on compressed gas cylinders and various electrical hazards. OSHA says. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The citations carry $56,210 in penalties.

Parkway Iron and Metal employs 36 workers.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.