Release Number: 10-659-NEW (10-63)
May 13, 2010
Contact: Leni Fortson
Phone: 215-861-5102
E-mail: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Parsippany, NJ, clothing
companies for workplace safety and health violations

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Salonika Associates LLC and Alfred Dunner Inc. for workplace safety and health hazards found at the companies' shared Parsippany worksite. Combined penalties total $51,750. OSHA initiated its inspection on Nov. 2, 2009, as part of its Site-Specific Targeting Program designed for industries with high injury and illness rates.

As a result of the inspection, OSHA has cited Salonika Associates LLC with 15 alleged serious and two other-than-serious violations. The serious safety violations include an inadequate lockout/tagout program of energy sources, employee exposure to live energy sources, a lack of machine guarding, a deficient hazard communication program and an inadequate respiratory protection program. These violations carry penalties totaling $46,350, while the other-than-serious violations carry no penalty.

Alfred Dunner Inc. also has been cited with three alleged serious health violations related to hazards involving bloodborne pathogens. Penalties total $5,400.

OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

"All of these violations leave workers vulnerable to hazards that can result in injury and illness," said Phillip Peist, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office. "By establishing an effective comprehensive workplace safety and health program that engages employees to proactively evaluate, identify and eliminate hazards, the companies will be better positioned to ensure an overall safe and healthful work environment."

Both companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA's Parsippany Office; telephone: 973-263-1003. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.

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 assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.