US Labor Department cites New Jersey commercial laundry company after worker injured at Kearny facility

KEARNY, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor cited a commercial laundry company for alleged workplace safety hazards after an employee injury at its Kearny facility.

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an investigation of KNY 26671 LLC, operating as Cooperative Laundry, following a referral from the Kearny Police Department. OSHA inspectors determined that on Jan. 18, 2025, a worker suffered serious injuries while performing maintenance on an industrial dryer. 

The agency cited Cooperative Laundry for three willful and nine serious violations for failing to evaluate permit required confined spaces, notify employees of the confined spaces, develop a permit confined space program, and utilize lockout/tagout procedures to prevent accidental machine startup. 

The employer was also cited for neglecting to provide training to authorized employees, exposing workers to unguarded vertical and inclined belts, and failing to conduct periodic inspections. OSHA has proposed $252,994 in penalties.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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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