OSHA slaps firm where immigrants were found
A New Bedford factory where immigration officials on a raid found more than 300 illegal foreign workers faces fines totaling $45,000 for hazardous work conditions, the US Department of Labor said yesterday.
The department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Michael Bianco Inc., a leather goods manufacturer, alleging 15 serious violations of workplace health and safety standards. OSHA deems an infraction serious when "death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known," according to the agency.
The allegations cite chemical, electrical, and mechanical hazards identified during OSHA inspections that began after federal authorities arrested 361 Central American workers there in March. After the raid, the company's owner, Francesco Insolia, was charged with conspiring to hire undocumented immigrants.
"Left uncorrected, the conditions cited at the plant expose employees to the hazards of lacerations, amputation, burns, electrocution, eye and face injuries, and to being caught in moving machine parts or struck by machinery," said Robert B. Hooper, OSHA's acting director for Southeastern Massachusetts, in a statement.
Doug Bailey, a spokesman for Michael Bianco Inc., said the company has cooperated with OSHA.
"All of the things they cite have been abated, and have been done . . . weeks ago," Bailey said. "The company has done a number of things over and above what OSHA mandated, such as hiring a full-time safety manager, organizing a committee of volunteer employees to bring safety issues to the attention of management, and working very closely with the city's Fire Department and Inspectional Services Department."
He said the company plans to formally respond to the proposed fines, which can be reduced. The company has 15 business days to respond .
OSHA's inspection found the company had not provided eye, face, and hand protection equipment required for employees, who are exposed to hazardous chemicals and flying particles from machinery.
The agency also charged that employees were not told about hazardous chemicals they work with and that the plant lacked adequate safeguards to prevent accidental start-up of machinery. 