Region 2 News Release: 13-2179-NEW (osha 13-111)
Nov. 21, 2013
Contact: Leni Fortson Joanna Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5102 215-861-5101
Email: : uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

Rockaway, NJ, plastic pipe producer cited for 18 health and safety workplace
violations; US Labor Department's OSHA proposes $51,800 in penalties

ROCKAWAY, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited plastic pipe manufacturer Endot Industries Inc. for 18 health and safety violations found at the company's facility on 60 Green Pond Road in Rockaway. OSHA's inspection began in July based on a referral and as part of the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which directs enforcement resources to high-hazard workplaces with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. Proposed penalties total $51,800.

"Endot Industries has a duty to protect its employees and should take immediate steps to correct these cited violations," said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office. "OSHA will continue to hold employers legally responsible when they fail to provide a safe and healthful workplace for their workers."

Seventeen serious violations include the company's failure to develop and implement a written hazard communication program for workers using propane and acetylene; a respiratory protection program for workers using full-face negative pressure respirators on a voluntary basis; establish and implement a hearing conservation program for workers exposed to noise levels over 85 decibels; train workers on propane and acetylene hazards; establish an energy control program; and provide training and develop equipment-specific procedures prior to conducting service and maintenance. Additionally, the company failed to maintain unobstructed exit routes and post directional exit signs; provide practical training and performance evaluations for workers operating forklifts; provide training in the use of portable fire extinguishers to workers acting as fire watches; ensure proper use of flexible cords; and properly guard manufacturing equipment. 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.

OSHA inspectors also cited one other-than-serious violation for failing to provide Appendix D training to workers wearing filtering facepiece respirators on a voluntary basis. The citation carries no penalty. 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.

Endot Industries has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director in Parsippany, 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 Parsippany Area Office at 973-263-1003.

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.