OSHA has cited petroleum additives maker Infineum USA for 22 alleged workplace safety violations, including exposing employees to chemical hazards, at its Bayway Chemical Plant in Linden, N.J. Proposed penalties total $88,500.
The federal agency began conducting an inspection last year after a complaint related to a chlorine release. In November 2009, OSHA started a Process Safety Management (PSM) inspection at Infineums Bayway Chemical Plant in Linden, N.J., as part of a follow up to an incident that occurred in July of the same year, Infineum detailed in a statement provided to Lube Report on Friday. That incident did not result in any personnel injuries or damages, or have any impact on the community. As is our policy, we independently conducted a comprehensive incident investigation to determine the root cause and prevent reoccurrence of such an incident.
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors, Infineum failed to establish and implement written procedures required to manage any changes to technology, facilities, equipment and procedures that can potentially impact a chemical process. Chlorine is a highly hazardous chemical that can have a severe impact on employees safety and health, Patricia Jones, director of the agencys Avenel Area Office, observed in a June 1 announcement. All aspects of the OSHA process safety management standard must be followed by employers in order to ensure that workers go home safe at the end of the day.
Infineum received the citations May 24, and then they have 15 business days from that date of receipt to contest them, OSHA spokeswoman Leni Fortson told Lube Report.
The company noted its employees have worked very closely with OSHA agents and cooperated fully during their inspection. Since 1994, OSHA has repeatedly recognized Bayway as a Voluntary Protection Program STAR facility, the highest achievement a company can obtain for its safety performance.
We are still conversing with them in order to help clarify their concerns and identify any follow-up activities, as appropriate, in our continuing efforts to improve our safety performance, which is among the best in industry, Infineums statement continued. At our worldwide chemical plants, we aim to protect the health and safety of our employees, others involved in our operations, our customers, our communities, as well as the environment. We put safety and security first. Our manufacturing operations at the Bayway Chemical Plant have sound employee health and safety programs, as well as process safety and emergency response plans in order to help minimize the occurrence of incidents.