NORTH ARLINGTON, NJ -- Sterling Seating Inc. was fined $117,600 for 34 safety and health violations at its North Arlington facility by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Combustible dust and formaldehyde exposure were among the hazards cited by OSHA inspectors.
 
"Combustible dust, with its fine particulate composition, has the ability to create an explosive atmosphere and rapidly engulf a facility in fire," said Lisa Levy, director of OSHA's Hasbrouck Heights Area Office. "The accumulations of combustible dust must be removed, and a program must be put in place to prevent any potential build up from occurring."

In addition to the combustible dust hazards, among 32 serious violations cited are failing to provide a lockout/tagout system to control the release of hazardous energy, ensure exits were unblocked, protect employees from electrical and chemical hazards, provide proper machine guarding, provide respiratory protection, and monitor formaldehyde and methylene chlorine exposure.

Posted by Rich Christianson