Xpedited Services isn’t the first company to let its safety standards slip, but according to OSHA, the outrageous conditions they found there were less of a slip and more of a landslide.
The abysmal scene that OSHA found in one Jersey warehouse will shock you (no pun intended). Things were so bad that OSHA officially deemed the place an “electrical nightmare.” Their report is a stark reminder that employers sometimes create the risk for workplace injuries in New Jersey — and they need to be held responsible.
A Look Inside OSHA’s “Electrical Nightmare” in Jersey City
When the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) showed up for a routine inspection at a Jersey City warehouse, they couldn’t believe what they found:
- Cords with live electricity being used in wet areas
- Overloaded power outlets in wet areas
- Blocked exits
- Open holes in the floors
- Tangled extension cords
- Malfunctioning forklifts
- Flexible cords and temporary wiring used in place of permanent wiring
- Four extension cords plugged into one outlet
- Improperly stored bottles of propane
- Lack of forklift and fire extinguisher training for employees.
OSHA cited Xpedited Services LLC, a trucking company out of Jersey City, with 14 “serious” code violations and $63,000 in fines. OSHA’s definition of “serious” means that the violation creates a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result — and that the employer knew (or should have known) about it.
“Xpedited Services created an electrical nightmare for its workers, exposing warehouse employees to electrocution hazards and significant fire risk,” said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA’s Parsippany, NJ office. “It was unacceptable that the company failed to comply with long-standing federal electrical safety standards and local building codes.”
Holding Negligent Employers Accountable for Unsafe Working Conditions
Employers have a duty to act reasonably and follow the law in order to keep their employees safe. If you or a loved one has suffered from workplace injuries in New Jersey as a result of unsafe working conditions, a Parsippany-Troy Hills employment attorney can help.
To discuss your potential claim with an experienced Parsippany-Troy Hills employment attorney today, please contact The Law Offices of James C. DeZao, P.A. to schedule a free consultation right away. We’re here for you.