Film Pak Extrusion, 5th Avenue company, fined $90,000 for violating labor law
By Jonathan Greene
Published: August 30, 2014
A city manufacturing company faces $90,300 in penalties for exposing workers in its 5th Avenue facility to amputation and other safety and health hazards, according to the United States Department of Labor.
Film Pak Extrusion, the company which produces do-it-yourself supplies sold under the brand name Frost King, was investigated by the department in February. Investigators from the department’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration division found dangerous working conditions in the facility, citing one wilful and 12 serious workplace condition violations.
The administration said willful violations occur when a company knowingly, intentionally, and voluntarily breaks legal requirements risking worker safety and health. Investigators found workers in the facility operating machines without machine guards.
“Machines left without required guards can cause catastrophic injury to workers, including amputation and death,” said Lisa Levy, director of administration’s Hasbrouck Heights area office. “One slip can end a worker’s life or livelihood, and employers can prevent that.”
The lack of machine guard resulted in the company being fined $56,000.
Investigators also cited the company for an obstructed exit route, lack of a lockout or tag out program, powered industrial trucks not inspected prior to use, lack of a hearing conservation program, failure to conduct audiometric testing, failure to provide hearing protection and training on hearing protection and noise hazards, and failure to maintain washing facilities.
For the 12 serious safety violations the company was additionally fined $34,300. A serious violation occurs when the probability death or serious physical harm is high and the employer knows or should have known about the risks.
The company has 15 days to pay up the fines or dispute them. “Film Pak Extrusion has a responsibility to put worker safety first,” Levy said.