The U.S. Dept. of Labor reached a settlement agreement with Aluminum Shapes LLC, concerning two cases involving various employee injuries and one fatality at the company’s plant in Delair, NJ. The company will pay a $1-million penalty and accepted responsibility for 10 willful, 15 repeat and 55 serious violations, and one other-than-serious citation – among dozens of citations that Occupational Health and Safety Administration has issued at that location since 2011.
Aluminum Shapes LLC produces 6000 Series aluminum casting alloys in billet form for use in extrusion presses.
The fatal accident occurred in August 2016, when an employee was injured by extrusion machinery and later died from the injury.
The company also agreed to undertake a detailed series of “enhanced abatement measures”, including developing a comprehensive safety and health plan, employing a full-time safety professional to oversee lockout/tagout and confined space compliance, and implementing additional employee training.
“While this settlement can never reverse the senseless loss of life and serious injuries that occurred, it goes a long way in ensuring employer accountability and providing key worker protections to prevent future incidents,” stated OSHA Regional Solicitor of Labor Jeffrey S. Rogoff.
He added: “The agreement further demonstrates the U.S. Department of Labor’s commitment to pursue every available opportunity to enforce workplace safety laws.”