WESTFIELD, N.J. (Oct. 17, 2016) — The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined Mavis Tire Supply Corp. $62,355 for alleged health and safety violations at its Westfield site.
The alleged violations were uncovered during an inspection of the Westfield operation on March 30, 2016, according to an OSHA citation issued Sept. 29, 2016.
According to the citation, the eight violations — seven classified as “serious” and one as “repeat” — were as follows:
- Mavis allegedly did not provide a railing or other guard to prevent employees from falling from a nine-foot platform next to a conveyor.
- Mavis allegedly did not provide an intermediate railing for the open side of a flight of stairs.
- Mavis allegedly stored oxygen, acetylene and other compressed gas tanks next to the emergency exit, and also allegedly did not separate oxygen cylinders from fuel-gas cylinders
- Mavis allegedly did not post signs along the exit access indicating the direction of the nearest exit.
- Mavis allegedly did not provide safety data sheets for acetylene and oxygen gas, and also allegedly did not provide information or training to employees required to use flammables, irritants and other hazardous chemicals.
- Mavis, according to OSHA, previously had been cited for obstructing exit routes and had not acted to correct the violation.
As is usual with OSHA citations, the agency gave Mavis the choice of paying the penalty, agreeing to an informal conference with OSHA officials or contesting the citation.
“We want to comply with OSHA regulations and have a safe workplace for our employees,” said Patrick Schulte, Mavis vice president of marketing.