Company exposed workers to respiratory and other workplace safety and health hazards.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (File photo)BRANCHBURG -- A township flavoring and fragrance manufacturer has been fined $122,000 for exposing workers to respiratory and other workplace safety and health hazards.
Symrise Inc., located on Industrial Parkway, was issued citations for two willful and 10 serious violations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to a news release issued Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor.
OSHA initiated an inspection on June 2 after being notified of an employee injury.
On Dec. 1, the agency issued two citations for willful violations related to hazards associated with exposure to diacetyl, a chemical linked to respiratory illnesses including organ damage.
Among the 10 serious violations was the company being cited for hazards related to confined space, including failure to evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined space and failure to develop and implement a written permit-required space program, the Department of Labor said.
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Other serious violations included the lack of program procedures related to preventing the sudden start up or movement of equipment during service and maintenance, a procedure known as lockout or tagout, employee exposure to flammable liquids and employee exposure to open-sided work platforms without railings, according to the release.
"When employees are exposed to certain airborne flavorings like diacetyl, they are more likely to develop respiratory symptoms such as cough, fatigue, and difficulty breathing with exertion or exercise," said Patricia Jones, director of OSHA's Avenel Area Office.
"Symrise is putting its employees at risk of long-term, chronic illness by not taking the right steps to provide protection from this hazard. Employers have a legal obligation to ensure workers have a safe and healthy workplace, and will be held accountable when they fail to do so."
Symrise Inc.'s workers' compensation insurer is MEMIC, located in Portland, Maine, the Department of Labor said.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
