OSHA fines NuStar Asphalt Refining $105,750 for 24 alleged workplace safety and health violations that could lead to worker deaths.
New Jersey employment law attorney-OSHA fines liquid asphalt company for alleged workplace safety violations that could lead to worker deaths.
Paulsboro, NJ–NuStar Asphalt Refining Co., LLC which refines and manufactures liquid asphalt for numerous different applications was cited by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) http://www.osha.gov for 24 alleged violations at its Paulsboro worksite. OSHA an agency under the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) http://www.dol.gov began an inspection on April 14 under the National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Petroleum Refinery Process Safety Management and concluded the asphalt company violated 24 serious workplace and safety rules and regulations and proposed fines totaling $105,750. According to OSHA’s October 15, 2009, press release, “A serious citation is issued when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.”
The serious violations documented by federal inspectors involved the following:
-Ineffective process hazard analysis
-No emergency escape respirators in the control room (required in case of
toxic gas release)
-Outdated operating procedures
-Current operating procedures failing to address certain hazards
-Inadequate emergency shutdown procedures
-No piping and instrument diagrams in process safety information
NuStar, who employs some 85 workers, has 15 business days from the date of receiving the citations to comply with the citations, request a conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties according to the federal agency’s announcement. Employers and companies have a responsibility to follow federal and state workplace safety guidelines. When workers suffer injuries on the job the damages not only hurts the employee but usually takes a toll on the family financially, mentally, and emotionally. If you or someone you know has been injured on the job because of an employer’s negligence, contacting an employment law attorney who is experienced in workplace injury claims and employee rights may help you and your family recover.
New Jersey employment law attorney alerts by legal news reporter Heather L. Ryan.