The U.S. Department of Labor has cited KNY 26671 LLC, operating as Cooperative Laundry, for workplace safety violations following an employee injury at its facility in Kearny, New Jersey.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began its investigation after receiving a referral from the Kearny Police Department. OSHA inspectors found that on January 18, 2025, a worker was seriously injured while conducting maintenance on an industrial dryer.
Following the investigation, OSHA issued three willful and nine serious citations to Cooperative Laundry. The violations included failure to evaluate permit-required confined spaces, not notifying employees about these spaces, lacking a permit confined space program, and not using lockout/tagout procedures designed to prevent accidental machine startup. Additional citations were issued for not providing proper training to authorized employees, exposing workers to unguarded vertical and inclined belts, and failing to conduct required periodic inspections.
OSHA has proposed penalties totaling $252,994 against the company. Cooperative Laundry has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply with them, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Employers can access information on how to develop workplace safety programs by visiting OSHA’s website. The agency also offers compliance assistance resources and free help for those seeking guidance on meeting OSHA standards.
"Visit OSHA’s website for information on developing a workplace safety and health program. Employers may also contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards."
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