Business & Tech

Moorestown Manufacturer Cited for Safety Violations

One of the company's employees died last year in a workplace accident, leading to an investigation by the Department of Labor.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a Massachusetts-based manufacturer for safety violations following the death of a worker last year at its Moorestown facility.

OSHA initiated an investigation into American Biltrite Inc.—which manufactures and distributes commercial flooring and performance sheet rubber throughout the country—late last year after an employee was crushed in a coating machine while trying to clear a jam at its facility at 105 Whittendale Dr.

The investigation resulted in citations for one repeat and nine serious safety and health violations. OSHA said the company failed to use energy control, or "lockout/tagout," procedures prior to allowing the employee to enter the machine's danger area, according to a release on the department’s website.

The serious violations include failing to provide a lockout/tagout program for the energy sources of equipment, provide appropriate working space around electrical equipment, provide an eyewash station, ensure proper equipment guards were in place to prevent workers from coming into contact with moving parts, ensure the proper use of flexible cords, take adequate precautions to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors and require employees to wear goggles when handling corrosive chemicals, OSHA stated. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard, about which the employer knew or should have known.

The repeat violation is for “permitting Class I flammable liquids to be dispensed into containers without the nozzle and the container being electrically connected, which creates the potential for ignition.”

The company was cited for the same violation in 2010, according to OSHA.

"This company continues to compromise the safety of its workers by disregarding OSHA's safety and health standards," said Paula Dixon-Roderick, director of OSHA's Marlton area office. "Employers are responsible for ensuring safe and healthful workplaces, and will be held legally accountable when they fail to do so."

American Biltrite employs 130 workers at its Moorestown site. Proposed penalties total $51,300.

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


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