Region 2 News Release: 113-1721-NEW (osha 13-089)
Aug. 28, 2013
Contact: Leni Fortson Joann Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5102 215-861-5101
Email: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

Multiple safety and health violations found at Supreme Oil Co. Inc. in
Englewood, NJ, with company fined $259,000 by OSHA

Englewood, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited food product manufacturer and distributor Supreme Oil Co. Inc. for one alleged willful, one repeat, and 30 serious safety and health violations found at the company's Englewood plant. A February inspection was initiated as part of the agency's Site-Specific Targeting 2012 inspection plan and resulted in $259,000 in proposed penalties.

"The wide range and variety of both safety and health related violations found at Supreme Oil Co. Inc. are indicative of a failed safety and health program", said Lisa Levy, director of OSHA's Hasbrouck Heights Area Office. "The cited hazardous conditions must be corrected quickly and effectively to ensure a safe and healthful workplace for all employees."

Lockout/tagout procedures which prevent inadvertent machine start-up, were not developed, documented, and utilized by the company for the control of potentially hazardous energy, resulting in a willful violation carrying a $70,000 penalty. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

The repeat violation, carrying a $33,000 penalty was cited because workroom floors were not maintained in a dry condition. The company was cited for similar violations in 2012. 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.

The serious violations include electrical and trip hazards, and the company's failure to provide lockout/tagout training for employees involved in service and maintenance activities; ensure fire exits were not obstructed; provide appropriate machine guarding and fall protection; provide and maintain a hearing conservation program for employees exposed to excessive noise; limit employee exposure to carbon monoxide; and obtain written approval from the forklift manufacturer prior to making modifications. 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 proposed penalty for the serious violations is $156,000.

"A key way employers can prevent conditions that can injure or sicken workers is to establish and maintain an effective illness and injury prevention program in which management and employees work together to identify and prevent hazardous conditions," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator for New York.

The citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Supreme_Oil_Company_Inc_0821_13.pdf.*

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

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report 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 contact the agency's Hasbrouck Heights office at 201-288-1700.

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 exist 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.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

* Accessibility Assistance Contact OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.