Ungerer & Company: OSHA issues citations to Bethlehem company; faces thousands in penalties

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to a Bethlehem global flavor, fragrance manufacturer.Ungerer & Company is located in the 100 block of North Commerce Way. OSHA officials say they received a referral on January 27 from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, alleging Ungerer & Company employees suffered respiratory distress from an unknown chemical odor, which prompted an investigation. The citations were issued on May 25. One violation was a repeat, six were serious violations and one was an other-than-serious violation. The agency said it found repeat violations when the company failed to use approved electrical equipment to clean up combustible dust and did not train employees, who were expected to participate in emergency response operations. Similar violations were reported in 2013, according to OSHA.The violations included:A mobile ladder stand not equipped with safety stops to prevent horizontal movement A dust collection unit handling combustible dust not provided with proper explosion protection or suppression systemsNo developed emergency response planEmployees overexposed to hydrogen sulfideFeasible administrative and engineering controls not implementedSafety data sheets not maintained and without required safety and health informationOSHA says Ungerer & Company also did not conduct periodic re-evaluations of its hazardous energy control program, which resulted in the other-than-serious citation. The proposed penalties stand at $63,450.Ungerer & Company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review CommissionThe citations can be viewed at: https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/UngererCompany_1116984.pdfhttps://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/UngererCompany_1133193.pdf