Region 2 News Release: 13-1926-NEW (osha 13-104)
Sept. 25, 2013
Contact: Leni Fortson Joanna Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5102 215-861-5101
Email: : uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

Perth Amboy, NJ, shirtmaker cited by US Labor Department's OSHA
for exposing employees to workplace hazards

PERTH AMBOY, N.J – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Individualized Shirt Co., doing business as Individualized Shirts, for 13 health and safety violations following an inspection begun in April in response to a complaint at its Perth Amboy facility. Proposed fines total $50,400.

Twelve serious violations, with $49,500 in penalties, were cited for failing to ensure unobstructed emergency exit routes; develop a written emergency action plan; have training for workers required to use fire extinguishers; provide machine guarding; prevent exposure to electrical hazards; and develop a lockout/tagout program. The company was also cited for failing to develop a workplace hazard assessment, provide personal protective equipment and develop a hazard communication program for workers exposed to hazardous chemicals. 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.

An other-than-serious violation, which carries a $900 penalty, was cited for the company's failure to post the OSHA 300A form as required annually. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

"Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy work environment, including taking proactive steps to prevent and address hazards," said Patricia Jones, director of the OSHA Avenel Area Office. "OSHA will continue to hold employers responsible when they fail to protect their workers."

Individualized Shirts has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director in Avenel, 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 the agency's Avenel Area Office at 732-750-3270.

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 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.