OSHA Inspection: CHASEN FIBER TECHNOLOGIES

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Abate by

Oct 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(1)(i): Except as provided elsewhere in this section 29 CFR 1910.28, the employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the systems described in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i):  a. 120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Double Chamber Bailer  The employer did not ensure guardrails installed on a work platform were installed at all open edges to prevent employee falls.  Employees engaged in the shredding of fabrics used in the manufacture of packaging materials accessed a working surface, approximately 6.5 feet above the next lower level,  guardrails were installed only on a single side, leaving ends open and exposing employees to fall hazards.   Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Abate by

Oct 10, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,453 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(1): Exit routes must be kept free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings or other decorations:   a. 120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Main entrance  The employer authorized storage of flammable and/or explosive materials in an emergency exit route.  Storage cages for propane cylinders were placed on both sides of the main entrance door.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  a.  120 South 20th St., Irvington NJ - Warehouse  -  North exit from production area near maintenance  The employer did not ensure that an emergency exit was unobstructed.  The employer authorized the used of an industrial fan where it was placed at the exit door, obstructing the exit in the event of an emergency.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Abate by

Oct 29, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(p)(1): Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s):   a. 120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Facility  The employer did not ensure that powered industrial trucks in need of repairs were taken out of service.  Employees engaged in production and warehousing activities, used equipment that included, but was not limited to, TCM, Model FCG15FG forklifts with maintenance deficiencies, that included broken lights and broken mirrors and were not removed from service for repairs.   Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Abate by

Oct 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:  a. 120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Maripak TT80, Twin Trimmer, machine 1 The employer did not ensure employees were protected from hazards of point of operation hazards.  Employees operating a Maripak TT80 Twin Trimmer were able to reach into the operating machine as the interlocks for three of the doors had been disabled.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024  b.  120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Maintenance - Drill press The employer did not ensure employees were protected from the rotating chuck and swarf that is produced by the drill bit.  Employees used equipment that included, but was not limited to  a Bridgeport drill press in the machine shop that was not guarded.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024  c. 120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Hammer Mill  The employer did not ensure that employees were protected from point of operation hazards. Employees operating the Hammer Mill operated the equipment which had no guarding to prevent entering the machine cutting blades.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Abate by

Oct 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(a)(2):  Abrasive wheel(s) used on grinding machinery were not provided with safety guard(s) which covered the spindle end, nut, flange projections:  b.  120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Maintenance   The employer did not ensure employees were protected from struck by hazards while using a bench grinder  Employees used equipment that included, but was not limited to  a Black & Decker heavy duty bench grinder where the abrasive grinding wheel was not guarded.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Abate by

Oct 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.215(a)(4): Grinding machinery was not used with work rest(s) to support offhand grinding work:  a.  120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Maintenance  The employer did not ensure employees were provided a work rest when grinding materials.  Employees used equipment that included, but was not limited to  a Black & Decker Heavy Duty bench grinder in the machine shop that was not guarded.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.243(c)(3): Abrasive wheels used on vertical portable grinder(s) (right angle head grinders) were not provided with safety guard(s) having a maximum exposure angle of 180 degrees and located between the operator and wheel:  a. 120 S. 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Maintenance Area  The employer did not ensure employees using a hand held grinder were provided with safety guards.  An employee engaged in manufacturing guards for machines used a Makita hand held angle grinder that was not guarded.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Abate by

Oct 13, 2026

Penalty

Initial $6,453 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(B):The employer did not ensure that assigned fire watchers had fire extinguisher equipment readily available and were trained in its use:  a. 120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Maintenance  The employer did not ensure that employees assigned as fire watchers were trained in the use of fire extinguishers.  An employee engaged in the maintenance and repair of equipment used acetylene torches where a fire extinguisher was available, but the employee was not provided training for use in the event of a fire.  Violation occurred on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Abate by

Oct 13, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  a. 120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Maintenance Office  The employer authorized the use of relocatable power taps as a means of power.   Employees engaged in the maintenance and repair of equipment used relocatable power taps (power strips), as a means of power for hand held tools and an electric heater, where the power taps were daisy chained using extension cords, that were not in accordance with the listing or labeling of the manufacturer.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Abate by

Oct 15, 2025

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasions:  a. 120 South 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Shredder Area   The employer did not ensure conductor were protected from abrasions.  Employees engaged in paper shredder activities were exposed to electrical shock hazards from energized conductors to the junction box for the machine controls which was broken and the wires were chafing at the edge of the junction box.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024

Issued

Sep 25, 2024

Abate by

Oct 14, 2025

Penalty

Initial $22,583 · Current $10,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  a. 120 S. 20th St., Irvington, NJ - Hammer Mill  The employer did not ensure that chains and sprockets were guarded.  Employees working at the Hammer Mill worked at or near two sprocket and chains that were not guarded.  Violation observed on or about March 27, 2024  M. Chasen & Sons, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1570782, citation number 3, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 11/17/2022, with respect to a workplace located at 120 S. 20th St., Irvington, NJ.