OSHA Inspection: BRITE SERVICES INC.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Penalty

Initial $4,116 · Current $2,668 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(g)(1): Sufficient access and working space was not provided and maintained about all electric equipment (operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground) to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment:    a) 421 East 16th Street (Sheet & Pillowcase Department Area): The front area of a 208-volt electrical panel used to power lights for the work area was blocked by a 2 by 4 piece of plywood that was placed across the face of the panel, on or about, 7/6/16.    b) 436 East 16th Street (Drying Area): The front area of an electrical panel used to power drying machines and lights was blocked by laundry bins, on or about, 9/12/16.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Penalty

Initial $5,487 · Current $3,556 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.334(a)(2)(i): Portable cord and plug connected equipment and flexible cord sets (extension cords) were not visually inspected before use on any shift for external defects (such as loose parts, deformed and missing pins, or damage to outer jacket or insulation) and for evidence of possible internal damage (such as pinched or crushed outer jacket):    a) 421 East 16th Street (Folding Area): The insulation on the cord used to power the Heavy Duty Tyer machine was damaged, thus exposing employees to an electric shock, on or about, 7/06/16.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Abate by

Jan 4, 2017

Penalty

Initial $19,205 · Current $5,335 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard from vehicular traffic while crossing the street:    a) East 16th Street: Employees manually push laundry bins loaded with towels and sheets from one building to another building across the street, and are exposed to vehicular traffic. The employer did not ensure that employees were protected from a struck-by hazard, on or about, 7/6/16.    b) East 16th Street: During scheduled break periods, employees cross the street throughout the work day to reach the food vending truck and are exposed to vehicular traffic. The employer did not ensure that employees were protected from a struck-by hazard, on or about, 7/6/16 and 9/22/16.    Brite Services, Inc. dba Star Laundry was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 641138, citation number 1, item number 1, and was affirmed as a final order on April 3, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 421 & 436 East 16th Street, Paterson, New Jersey.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Abate by

Dec 27, 2016

Penalty

Initial $8,231 · Current $5,335 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:    a) 421 East 16th Street (Towel Area): A mounted fire extinguisher located in the work area was blocked by laundry bins, on or about, 9/12/16.    b) 421 East 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): A fire extinguisher was missing from its posted location, on or about, 9/27/16.    Brite Services, Inc. dba Star Laundry was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.157(c)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 641138, citation number 1, item number 15 and was affirmed as a final order on April 3, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 421 East 16th Street, Paterson, New Jersey.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Penalty

Initial $19,205 · Current $13,337 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.264(d)(2)(i)(a): No safeguard, safety appliance, or device attached to, or forming an integral part of any machinery shall be removed or made ineffective except for the purpose of making immediate repairs or adjustments. Any such safeguard, safety appliance, or device removed or made ineffective during the repair or adjustment of such machinery shall be replaced immediately upon the completion of such repairs or adjustments:    a) 421 E. 16th Street (Towel Department): An employee was operating a Malow Heavy Duty Tyer machine with an unguarded belt and pulley. The employer did not ensure that the belt and pulley was properly guarded, thus exposing employees to an amputation hazard, on or about, 7/6/16.    Brite Services, Inc. dba Star Laundry was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.264(d)(2)(i)(a), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 641138, citation number 1, item number 25 and was affirmed as a final order on April 3, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 421 East 16th Street, Paterson, New Jersey.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Penalty

Initial $8,231 · Current $5,716 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5): The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous, and effective:    a) 436 East 16th Street (Folding Area): A flexible cord used to power a pedestal fan was missing a ground pin, on or about, 9/12/16.    Brite Services, Inc. dba Star Laundry was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.304(g)(5), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 641138, citation number 1, item number 27 and was affirmed as a final order on April 3, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 436 East 16th Street, Paterson, New Jersey.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Abate by

Dec 27, 2016

Penalty

Initial $8,231 · Current $5,716 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    a) 421 E. 16th Street (Outside of Front Office): An electrical box used to service lights and other equipment, was missing a knockout plug, on or about 7/6/16.     b) 421 E. 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): A junction box used to service industrial drying machines and washing machines, was missing a knockout plug, on or about 9/27/16.     Brite Services, Inc. dba Star Laundry was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.305(b)(1)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 641138, citation number 1, item number 29 and was affirmed as a final order on April 3, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 421 East 16th Street, Paterson, New Jersey.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Penalty

Initial $8,231 · Current $5,716 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:    a) 421 E. 16th Street (Folding Area): An electric box on a Air Chicago folding machine was missing a cover, on or about, 9/12/16.     Brite Services, Inc. dba Star Laundry was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.305(b)(2)(I), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 641138, citation number 1, item number 30 and was affirmed as a final order on April 3, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 421 East 16th Street, Paterson, New Jersey.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Penalty

Initial $10,974 · Current $7,621 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:    a) 421 E. 16th Street (Towel Department): A cord used to service a Malow Heavy Duty Tyer Machine was plugged into an extension cord. The employer did not ensure that electrical equipment was plugged directly into a permanent electrical fixture, thus exposing employees to an electrical hazard, on or about, 7/6/16.    Brite Services, Inc. dba Star Laundry was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 641138, citation number 1, item number 32, and was affirmed as a final order on April 3, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 421 East 16th Street, Paterson, New Jersey.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  a) 421 East 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): An employee who performs loading of soiled sheets and towels onto a conveyor leading to a washing machine, was exposed to a continuous noise level at 99.6% of the allowable 8-hour time weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 99.6% is approximately 89.9 dBA. The sampling was performed during 508 minutes during one shift, with zero exposure assumed for any unsampled periods of time. The employer did not administer a continuing effective hearing conservation program, thus exposing employees to irreversible hearing loss, on or about, 9/27/16.  b) 421 East 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): An employee who performs loading/unloading of sheets and towels into drying machines after the wash cycle, was exposed to a continuous noise level at 83.8% of the allowable 8-hour time weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 83.8% is approximately 88.7 dBA. The sampling was performed during 484 minutes during one shift, with zero exposure assumed for any unsampled periods of time. The employer did not administer a continuing effective hearing conservation program, thus exposing employees to irreversible hearing loss, on or about, 9/27/16.  c) 421 East 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): An employee who performs loading/unloading of sheets and towels into drying machines, following the wash cycle, was exposed to a continuous noise level at 72.5% of the allowable 8-hour time weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 72.5% is approximately 87.6 dBA. The sampling was performed during 500 minutes. during one shift, with zero exposure assumed for any unsampled periods of time. The employer did not administer a continuing effective hearing conservation program, thus exposing employees to irreversible hearing loss, on or about, 9/27/16.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:  a) 421 East 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): An employee who performs loading of soiled sheets and towels onto a conveyor leading to a washing machine, was exposed to a continuous noise level at 99.6% of the allowable 8-hour time weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 99.6% is approximately 89.9 dBA. The sampling was performed during 508 minutes during one shift, with zero exposure assumed for any unsampled periods of time. The employer did not conduct audiometric testing, thus exposing employees to irreversible hearing loss, on or about, 9/27/16.  b) 421 East 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): An employee who performs loading/unloading of sheets and towels into drying machines after the wash cycle, was exposed to a continuous noise level at 83.8% of the allowable 8-hour time weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 83.8% is approximately 88.7 dBA. The sampling was performed during 484 minutes during one shift, with zero exposure assumed for any unsampled periods of time. The employer did not conduct audiometric testing, thus exposing employees to irreversible hearing loss, on or about, 9/27/16.  c) 421 East 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): An employee who performs loading/unloading of sheets and towels into drying machines, following the wash cycle, was exposed to a continuous noise level at 72.5% of the allowable 8-hour time weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 72.5% is approximately 87.6 dBA. The sampling was performed during 500 minutes. during one shift, with zero exposure assumed for any unsampled periods of time. The employer did not conduct audiometric testing, thus exposing employees to irreversible hearing loss, on or about, 9/27/16.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Abate by

Jan 4, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  a) 421 East 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): An employee who performs loading of soiled sheets and towels onto a conveyor leading to a washing machine, was exposed to a continuous noise level at 99.6% of the allowable 8-hour time weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 99.6% is approximately 89.9 dBA. The sampling was performed during 508 minutes during one shift, with zero exposure assumed for any unsampled periods of time. The employer did not offer noise training, thus exposing employees to irreversible hearing loss, on or about, 9/27/16.  b) 421 East 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): An employee who performs loading/unloading of sheets and towels into drying machines after the wash cycle, was exposed to a continuous noise level at 83.8% of the allowable 8-hour time weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 83.8% is approximately 88.7 dBA. The sampling was performed during 484 minutes during one shift, with zero exposure assumed for any unsampled periods of time. The employer did not offer noise training, thus exposing employees to irreversible hearing loss, on or about, 9/27/16.  c) 421 East 16th Street (Washing/Drying Area): An employee who performs loading/unloading of sheets and towels into drying machines, following the wash cycle, was exposed to a continuous noise level at 72.5% of the allowable 8-hour time weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 72.5% is approximately 87.6 dBA. The sampling was performed during 500 minutes. during one shift, with zero exposure assumed for any unsampled periods of time. The employer did not offer noise training, thus exposing employees to irreversible hearing loss, on or about, 9/27/16.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Abate by

Dec 27, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(c)(1)(i): Toilet facilities were not provided in accordance with TABLE J-1 of this Section:  a) 421 East 16th Building: The employer did not provide a sufficient number of toilet rooms based on employee population and sex, thus preventing prompt access to toilet facilities, on or about, 7/6/16 and 9/13/16.

Issued

Dec 7, 2016

Abate by

Jan 4, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2)(ii): Lavatories were not provided with hot and cold, or tepid running water:  a) Facility-wide: The employees restroom facility lacked hot or tepid running water, on or about, 9/27/16.