July 26, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites New York Manufacturer
For Violations after Employee Injury at Long Island Plant

WESTBURY, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited U.S. Nonwovens Corp. – a home and personal care fabric product manufacturer – for repeat and serious safety violations after an employee suffered a fractured hand at the plant in Hauppauge, New York. The company faces $287,212 in penalties.

Investigators determined the employee’s injury occurred when his hand became caught in a fabric-softener sheet-cutting machine. OSHA cited U.S. Nonwovens Corp. for lack of machine guards; failing to train and evaluate forklift operators on how to safely operate equipment, and provide training on lockout/tagout procedures. OSHA also cited the company for exposing employees to fire and smoke inhalation hazards, and failing to report an amputation, provide illness and injury records to OSHA in a timely manner, store materials securely, and repair damaged storage racks.

“Companies are required by law to train employees and provide appropriate measures to protect workers from workplace injuries,” said OSHA Long Island Area Director Anthony Ciuffo in Westbury, New York.

OSHA offers resources on safeguarding equipment, operating forklifts safely, and the requirements for reporting injuries.

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

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 help 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 https://www.osha.gov.

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Media Contacts:

Ted Fitzgerald, 617-565-2075, fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov
James C. Lally, 617-565-2074, lally.james.c@dol.gov

Release Number:  19-1294-NEW/BOS 2019-111

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The Department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).