OSHA cited a New Jersey steel fabrication company for willfully exposing workers to multiple hazards related to respirators, cranes and chemicals.
A complaint led to OSHA’s July 26, 2023 investigation of the Millville facility.
The company hired a safety consultant a few months prior to the investigation, according to OSHA. The consultant identified multiple safety and health hazards which the company failed to correct.
Fine: $348,683
Company: Kenric Steel LLC, Millville, New Jersey
Business: Fabricated structural metal manufacturing
Reasons for fine:
Four willful violations for failing to:
- provide medical evaluations to determine an employee’s ability to use respirators
- inspect cranes on a regular basis
- protect workers adjacent to the welding area from rays by using flameproof screens or shields
- provide effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in the work area
Seven serious violations for failing to:
- ensure that 55-gallon drums of a class 2 flammable liquid were grounded during dispensing activities
- ensure that employees who wore tight-fitting facepiece respirators were clean shaven to get a proper seal
- ensure that each employee required to use respirators was trained and could demonstrate knowledge on fit, usage and maintenance
- periodically inspect hoists for defects
- install and use labeled electrical equipment in accordance with instructions on the labels
- ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was properly labeled or marked
- have safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical in the workplace
