December 15, 2016

OSHA cites New Jersey commercial laundry for workplace safety hazards
Paterson's Star Laundry fined $91K for 12 federal violations

Employer name:

Star Laundry Inc.

Star Laundry Inc.

421 and 436 East 16th St.

421 and 436 East 16th St.

Paterson, New Jersey

Paterson, New Jersey

Citations issued: On Dec. 7, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations against Brite Services Inc., doing business as Star Laundry Inc., for seven repeat, two serious and three other-than-serious violations.

Inspection findings: OSHA opened an inspection July 6, 2016, after receiving a complaint alleging that employees were exposed to heat stress and being struck by motor vehicles when crossing the street in between two buildings in which the company operates.

Inspectors cited repeat violations for vehicular struck-by hazards, blocked fire extinguishers, unguarded machinery and electrical hazards. The company was previously cited for similar violations in 2014. The serious violations reflected additional electrical hazards. Other-than-serious violations were issued for the lack of a hearing conservation program, an insufficient number of toilet rooms and no tepid water in the existing rest rooms.

Quote: "Star Laundry continues to needlessly leave its employees vulnerable to hazards that can cause serious injury or death," said Lisa Levy, director of OSHA's Hasbrouck Heights Area Office. "Employers have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthful work environment for workers."

Proposed penalties: $91,911

The citations can be viewed at:
https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/BriteServicesIncdbaStarLaundry_1160015.pdf

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

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, 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 Hasbrouck Heights office at 201-288-1700.

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.

# # #

Media Contact:

Leni Fortson, 215-861-5102, uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov
Joanna Hawkins, 215-861-5101, hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

Release Number: 16-2313-NEW (OSHA 16-144 Star Laundry)

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).