Briefing: March 4, 2015

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Complaint leads to OSHA fines against buyer, staffing firm

The US Occupational Safety and Health administration last week announced fines against Bentley Laboratories LLC, a pharmaceutical and beauty product manufacturer, and its staffing firm for exposing temporary workers to serious hazards.

Bently faces penalties of $45,000, while its staffing provider, Joulé Clinical & Scientific Staffing Solutions, a division of System One, has been fined $8,000.

Following an investigation, OSHA cited Bently for 14 serious violations including 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.

Joulé was cited for three serious violations involving the lack of a hazardous communication program, and training related to hazardous chemicals and energy-control procedures.

OSHA opened its investigation in October 2014 following a complaint. According to OSHA, as many as 50 temporary workers were on site during peak season at Bentley's manufacturing facility in Edison, N.J.

“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.”