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OSHA cites staffing buyer for 14 serious violations, staffing firm for three

February 25, 2015

A staffing buyer and staffing firm were cited for violations at a New Jersey facility, the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced. The agency has an ongoing focus on temporary workers and safety.

In Tuesday’s announcement, OSHA reported Bentley Laboratories LLC, a manufacturer of products for the beauty and pharmaceutical industries, was cited for 14 serious violations following an Oct. 16 inspection at its plant in Edison, N.J. Joulé Clinical & Scientific Staffing Solutions, which provides staffing services to Bentley Laboratories, was cited for three serious violations. 

As many as 50 temporary workers were on site during peak season at Bentley's manufacturing facility in Edison, according to OSHA.

Bentley Laboratories’ violations include failure to train workers on chemical hazards; maintain a hearing conservation program for employees exposed to excessive noise; develop procedures and training to control potentially hazardous energy; and properly guard machines to prevent amputations. Proposed penalties total $45,000.

Joulé was cited for violations involving the lack of a hazardous communication program, and training related to hazardous chemicals and energy-control procedures. Proposed penalties total $8,000.

“We see these kinds of violations frequently, especially in the case of temporary workers,” said Patricia Jones, director of OSHA’s Avenel area office. “Both the hiring company and the staffing agency are legally responsible for the safety and health of their workers.”

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