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Workplace Safety

NJ Amazon Worker Deaths Spark Federal Lawsuit: What Really Happened? NJ Amazon Worker Deaths Spark Federal Lawsuit: What Really Happened?
NJ Amazon Worker Deaths Spark Federal Lawsuit: What Really Happened? A support group for warehouse workers has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), demanding transparency into three worker deaths at Amazon warehouses across the state in 2022.  The lawsuit, filed in the District of New Jersey this week, accuses the DOL of violating the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by failing to release Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation records. The complaint, submitted by Leonia resident Daniel Schlademan, highlights alarming allegations about the working conditions at Amazon facilities in Carteret and …
Police ID Elizabeth Worker Crushed To Death At Clifton Recycling Plant (UPDATE) Police ID Elizabeth Worker Crushed To Death At Clifton Recycling Plant (UPDATE)
Police ID Elizabeth Worker Crushed To Death At Clifton Recycling Plant (Update) A worker was killed Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 12, when a baling machine fell on him at a Clifton recycling plant, officials confirmed. Jose D. Centeno, of Elizabeth, went underneath the heavy machine at Ricova Recycling at 1 Broad St. around 3:30 p.m. and became crushed, according to a spokesperson from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Clifton police. Clifton police Lt. Robert Anderson said officers, firefighters, rescue officials, and EMS personnel responded and confirmed Centeneo was dead. The Clifton Police Department, represented by Robert Anderson, …
Sanitation Worker, 23, Was Transferring Trash When He Was Struck, Killed In Tenafly: Cops Sanitation Worker, 23, Was Transferring Trash When He Was Struck, Killed In Tenafly: Cops
Sanitation Worker, 23, Was Transferring Trash When He Was Struck, Killed In Tenafly: Cops Police in Tenafly have released details in the crash that killed a 23-year-old sanitation worker from North Arlington Monday morning, Oct. 21. The garbage truck was parked along the northbound curb of County Road when the vehicle was struck by a northbound tractor-trailer just before 7 a.m., Tenafly Police Capt. Michael deMoncada said. The crash happened just as the 23-year-old worker was transferring garbage into the truck. The impact caused significant injuries to the sanitation worker and he was pronounced dead at the scene, deMoncada said. The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 53-y…
Estate Of Welder Blown Through Roof At New Jersey Job Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Estate Of Welder Blown Through Roof At New Jersey Job Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Estate Of Welder Blown Through Roof At New Jersey Job Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit The family of a 48-year-old welder killed in an explosion that blew him through the roof of a business in Gloucester County has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his former employer. Bruce A. Cheeseman, of Cedarville, was working at Timberlane Welding & Services Inc. in Mullica Hill when the fatal accident occurred on June 15, 2022. The company performs truck and trailer repairs. The lawsuit filed by Lisa Labrusciano, as Executor of the Estate, does not mention a dollar amount sought but also names Taylor Oil Co. — which owned the truck being worked on — a yet uniden…
Amazon Exposed NJ Workers To Hazards Causing Musculoskeletal Disorders: Feds Amazon Exposed NJ Workers To Hazards Causing Musculoskeletal Disorders: Feds
Amazon Exposed NJ Workers To Hazards Causing Musculoskeletal Disorders: Feds Workers at a New Jersey Amazon fulfillment center were exposed to numerous hazards causing bodily harm, prompting fines and multiple letters from the US Labor Department. US Labor Department opened an investigation into the Logan Township (Gloucester County) site in January, following complaints that Amazon was exposing workers to hazards capable of causing serious physical harm, the DOL said in a release. Amazon had allegedly been requiring employees to perform tasks leading to bodily stress that had caused, were causing and were likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders, the DOL said. The…
UPDATE: Fall Off Teaneck Home Leaves Roofer From Rockland, 18, Clinging To Life UPDATE: Fall Off Teaneck Home Leaves Roofer From Rockland, 18, Clinging To Life
Update: Fall Off Teaneck Home Leaves Roofer From Rockland, 18, Clinging To Life An 18-year-old roofer from Rockland remained in critical condition Tuesday after falling off a Teaneck home the night before. Responding Teaneck police officers found the victim unresponsive but breathing outside the Maple Street home behind Angelo’s Pizza on Queen Anne Road at 6:45 p.m. Monday, May 15, Police Chief Andrew McGurr said. The Spring Valley teen – whom responders identified as John Roldan -- had been doing roofing repair work with a contracting crew, McGurr said. He sustained severe head trauma and other injuries, the chief said. Members of the Teaneck Fire Department, the …
Philadelphia Worker ID'd As Victim Killed In Sea Isle City Balcony Collapse Philadelphia Worker ID'd As Victim Killed In Sea Isle City Balcony Collapse
Philadelphia Worker ID'd As Victim Killed In Sea Isle City Balcony Collapse A 43-year-old construction worker from Philadelphia has been identified as the victim crushed to death by a balcony that collapsed at a Sea Isle City high-rise Friday, Feb. 24, authorities said. Jose Pereira was on the 7th floor balcony of the Spinnaker South Tower when the balcony above him collapsed, crushing him around 2:20 p.m., Sea Isle City Police Chief Anthony J. Garreffi Jr. said. Pereira's body was pinned under the 30-foot concrete slab for several hours before responders could cut through approximately 12 inches of reinforced concrete, Garreffi said. The side of the building was …
NJ Amazon Workers Demand Details In Colleague's Death, Some Info Released: NBC NJ Amazon Workers Demand Details In Colleague's Death, Some Info Released: NBC
NJ Amazon Workers Demand Details In Colleague's Death, Some Info Released: NBC Amazon employees who worked alongside the man who collapsed and died during the company's Prime Day shopping rush at a New Jersey warehouse are demanding answers, NBC reports. While some staffers speculated that the death was work-related, Amazon spokesperson Sam Stephenson told the outlet that the incident was related to a personal medical condition, and ruled out working conditions as a culprit and disputed labor leaders’ account of the timeline. The worker, identified only as Rafael, experienced chest pains the evening before his shift on Wednesday, July 13, but didn't tell colleagues o…
UPDATE: Tree Worker Dies On Job In Closter, Brought Down By Firefighters UPDATE: Tree Worker Dies On Job In Closter, Brought Down By Firefighters
Update: Tree Worker Dies On Job In Closter, Brought Down By Firefighters Authorities were trying to determine how long a tree worker who died on the job in Closter had been suspended in the air. The worker was tethered in a harness nearly 40 feet up, supported by climbing ropes attached to several parts of the tree, when he apparently suffered a medical emergency outside a home on Anderson Avenue on Saturday, Police Lt. Vincent Aiello said. The homeowner, who'd dialed 911 around noon, didn't know how long he'd been up there, Aiello said. Responding police officers shouted but couldn't revive the worker from the ground, the lieutenant said. He was lowered to a…
Welder Dies In Fall From Ferris Wheel At NJ Amusement Park: Report Welder Dies In Fall From Ferris Wheel At NJ Amusement Park: Report
Welder Dies In Fall From Ferris Wheel At NJ Amusement Park: Report A 62-year-old welder died in a fall from a Ferris wheel in New Jersey Monday, May 2, NJ Advance Media reported. The subcontractor was killed while working at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, an Ocean City amusement park, President Jay Gillian said in a statement. Gillian also is the city's mayor.  Robert W. Sanger, of Pittsgrove, reportedly fell around 10:30 a.m. He was employed by Cargo Tech International of Swedesboro, Gloucester County, the outlet said. OSHA is investigating the worker's death, Leni Fortson, the federal agency's regional director, told Daily Voice. “We are cooperating w…
NJ Stoneworker, 37, Killed By Granite Slab Was 'Everyone's Friend' NJ Stoneworker, 37, Killed By Granite Slab Was 'Everyone's Friend'
NJ Stoneworker, 37, Killed By Granite Slab Was 'Everyone's Friend' A 37-year-old stoneworker from Burlington County was killed when a slab of granite fell onto him, authorities said. The man from Marlton, who was not identified, worked for Empire Marble & Granite in South Brunswick, police said. At 3:28 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, South Brunswick police, South Brunswick EMS, and Monmouth Junction Fire Department responded to 5 Chris Ct.  The worker from Empire Marble & Granite who was killed in an industrial accident.Facebook/ Empire Marble & Granite Police found that the man's coworkers had removed much of the slab off of him, they said.…
$2 Million Fine For NJ's 'Most Flagrant' OSHA Violator Upheld By Judge $2 Million Fine For NJ's 'Most Flagrant' OSHA Violator Upheld By Judge
$2 Million Fine For NJ's 'Most Flagrant' Osha Violator Upheld By Judge A Bergen County framing contractor dubbed New Jersey’s "most flagrant violator" of federal workplace safety laws the past decade must pay $2 million in back fines to the government, an administrative law judge has ruled. Juan Quevedo-Garcia, 42, of Palisades Park "deliberately failed to pay the fines and displayed a total disregard for the safety of his workers and for the law," Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker said. In doing so, he "continually put workers at risk of serious injuries or worse" at four different job sites in Bergen County, a federa…
New Immigrant Dies In Fall From Roof At Abandoned NJ Hospital New Immigrant Dies In Fall From Roof At Abandoned NJ Hospital
New Immigrant Dies In Fall From Roof At Abandoned NJ Hospital A worker at an abandoned New Jersey psychiatric hospital fell to his death on Wednesday, authorities said. Cristian Velez-Hurtado, 33, of Paterson had been working on the roof of Marlboro State Hospital on Springs Road (Monmouth County location) when he fell inside the building around 9:30 a.m., NJSP Sgt. Lawrence Peele said. The incident was deemed accidental in nature and remains under investigation. According to his Facebook profile, Velez-Hurtado is from Loja, Ecuador. He apparently celebrated one year in the US in January 2020, photos show. The hospital apparently closed in 1998 and…
Injured EMT Settles Suit Against Mountain Creek For $1.75 Million Injured EMT Settles Suit Against Mountain Creek For $1.75 Million
Injured EMT Settles Suit Against Mountain Creek For $1.75 Million An EMT who was injured in a fall while working at Mountain Creek reportedly settled a lawsuit against the resort for $1.75 million. Frank Villecco was working for Atlantic Health, which provided emergency medical services to the Vernon Township resort, when he slipped on water while bringing an injured skier into a medical room in March 2013, New Jersey Law Journal reported. Villecco suffered a herniated disc, which required fusion surgery, a spinal cord stimulator implant and pain medication for what became a chronic condition, his lawyer said. He sued Mountain Creek for not removing the …
Jersey Shore Company Faces $13.7K OSHA Fine After Employed Couple's COVID Death, Agency Says Jersey Shore Company Faces $13.7K OSHA Fine After Employed Couple's COVID Death, Agency Says
Jersey Shore Company Faces $13.7K Osha Fine After Employed Couple's COVID Death, Agency Says The US Department of Labor says it may fine a Central Jersey company up to $13,653 for coronavirus violations in its workplace. On Tuesday, the labor department's Occupational Health and Safety Administration cited a pharmaceutical and, biotech manufacturer from Eatontown.  The company failed to protect dozens of employees from COVID-19 at its  Monmouth County facility, OSHA said in a news statement. A husband and his wife died after contracting the virus last fall,  OSHA said.  At least two other workers were hospitalized and at least 30 workers tested positive for COVID, the federal ag…
Worker Escapes Excavator Mishap In Hackensack Worker Escapes Excavator Mishap In Hackensack
Worker Escapes Excavator Mishap In Hackensack A worker crawled out after an excavator tipped over at a Hackensack demolition site Friday afternoon. The 26-year-old Haledon man refused medical treatment after the mishap around 4:30 p.m. at 11 Passaic Street off River Street, Capt. Darrin DeWitt said. "He only had minor scratches," the captain said. City police and firefighters responded, along with a Bergen County Hazardous Materials Unit, which removed the fuel from the machine, and city building inspector. OSHA was notified. OopsieHACKENSACK FD
OSHA: Newark Contractor Admits Guilt In Death Of Worker Who Fell From Fair Lawn Roof OSHA: Newark Contractor Admits Guilt In Death Of Worker Who Fell From Fair Lawn Roof
Osha: Newark Contractor Admits Guilt In Death Of Worker Who Fell From Fair Lawn Roof A contactor that had previously been cited by OSHA for failing to protect its employees from falls admitted its role in the death of a worker who plunged from a roof during a job in Fair Lawn, federal authorities said. Trustworthy Roofing and Siding of Newark, through its owner, pleaded guilty Thursday before a magistrate judge to “willfully violating OSHA standards by failing to provide fall protection to employees engaged in the construction of a residential home,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. By doing so, he admitted, the company “caused the death of an employee,” she said…
Maintenance Worker Killed In NJ Industrial Accident Survived By 'Pride & Joy' Toddler Son Maintenance Worker Killed In NJ Industrial Accident Survived By 'Pride & Joy' Toddler Son
Maintenance Worker Killed In NJ Industrial Accident Survived By 'Pride & Joy' Toddler Son A 23-year-old maintenance worker killed over the weekend in an industrial accident over the weekend is being remembered as a hard-working dad who would've done anything to put a smile on his little boy's face. Samuel Toatley Jr., of Ewing, was operating a machine at nuLoom warehouse (Rugs USA) became pinned between a cleaning machine and section of shelving around 3 a.m. at the Prospect Plains Road facility, police said Wednesday. Affectionately known as "Loco," Toatley worked for Complete Care Maintenance, a company that cleaned the facility once a week, and was pronounced dead at the…
Worker Falls 50 Feet From Hackensack Apartment Building Project Worker Falls 50 Feet From Hackensack Apartment Building Project
Worker Falls 50 Feet From Hackensack Apartment Building Project A worker survived a fall of nearly five stories from an apartment building under construction in Hackensack on Wednesday, authorities said. The 45-year-old framer from Newark was intubated in critical but stable condition at Hackensack University Hospital following the mishap on Kinderkamack Road near westbound Route 4 shortly before 1 p.m., they said. The victim “misstepped and fell approximately 50 feet onto a concrete slab,” Detective Capt. Darrin DeWitt said. “He was conscious but bleeding from his head and appeared to have injuries throughout his body,” DeWitt said. City police, fir…
Worker Seriously Injured In 30-Foot Hackensack Fall Worker Seriously Injured In 30-Foot Hackensack Fall
Worker Seriously Injured In 30-Foot Hackensack Fall A worker from Clifton was seriously injured Monday when he fell 30 feet through the roof of a Hackensack plant that had been severely damaged by fire last fall, authorities said. The 49-year-old laborer was working on repairs on a rusted steel roof at Newman’s Fish Foods when he fell onto the concrete floor below shortly after 9 a.m., Detective Capt. Darrin DeWitt said. He was unconscious but breathing when an ambulance took him to Hackensack University Medical Center, DeWitt said. City police and firefighters responded along with HUMC paramedics, the captain said. OSHA will be investigat…
Lakewood Ice Cream Maker Fined $237K By Feds After 2nd Worker Loses Fingers Lakewood Ice Cream Maker Fined $237K By Feds After 2nd Worker Loses Fingers
Lakewood Ice Cream Maker Fined $237K By Feds After 2nd Worker Loses Fingers An ice cream manufacturer has been fined, again, after a worker lost his fingers in a Lakewood company machine, authorities said. The mechanic apparently was repairing an ice cream wrapper when he was seriously injured.  The mishap last September at Fieldbrook Foods' plant marked the second time since 2018 that a Lakewood worker lost fingers in the same machine, federal OSHA officials said on Monday. “Fieldbrook Foods knew that machines must be completely disabled before workers perform service and maintenance," Paula Dixon-Roderick, area director of OSHA's Marlton office, said. "Inst…
Worker Critically Injured In Explosion At Ramapo College Worker Critically Injured In Explosion At Ramapo College
Worker Critically Injured In Explosion At Ramapo College UPDATE: A construction worker was gravely injured in a pipe-valve explosion Tuesday morning at Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah, responders said. Mahwah firefighters carried the victim out after he was struck in the head and knocked out by a valve cap during a pressure test on an 8-inch water line on the second floor of the college library shortly after 8 a.m., they said. A helicopter was cancelled because of the weather and he was taken by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center with severe head trauma, responders said. They were doubtful about his chances for survival. T…
Worker Seriously Injured In Explosion At Machining Plant Off Route 287 Worker Seriously Injured In Explosion At Machining Plant Off Route 287
Worker Seriously Injured In Explosion At Machining Plant Off Route 287 A medical chopper was summoned after an employee was severely burned in an explosion Thursday morning at a machining company in Oakland. Responders were called to FIMS Manufacturing on Allerman Road -- just off the Route 202 ramp to Route 287 -- around 10:45 a.m. Police, firefighers and EMS responded. The nearly 42,000-square-foot, third-generation family machine shop was established in 1962. Among other services, FIMS makes firearms and does heavy work for the military, as well as aerospace machining, the company says on its website. CHECK BACK FOR MORE DETAILS ****** ALSO SEE: …
Fire Breaks Out At Massive New Jersey Amazon Warehouse Fire Breaks Out At Massive New Jersey Amazon Warehouse
Fire Breaks Out At Massive New Jersey Amazon Warehouse More than 100 Amazon workers were evacuated in a warehouse fire Tuesday night, authorities said. Several fire departments and first aid crews responded to the blaze at the Hightstown-Cranbury Station Road location on reports of smoke in the building around 11:30 p.m. Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. The fire was located and extinguished, Ciccone said alongside Chief Michael J. Owens of the Cranbury Police Department. No injuries were reported and 1 million-square-foot building apparently reopened Wednesday, Amazon spokesperson Jenna Hilze…
NJ Food Server Walks Out In Protest, Accuses Ownership Of Mishandling COVID-19 Cases NJ Food Server Walks Out In Protest, Accuses Ownership Of Mishandling COVID-19 Cases
NJ Food Server Walks Out In Protest, Accuses Ownership Of Mishandling Covid-19 Cases A Roots Steakhouse server disappointed by how his boss handled the COVID-19 outbreak at his job walked out in protest. The restaurant owner, however, maintains all necessary steps were taken.  It all started Nov. 8, when an employee tested positive. Three days later, Christian Zarate quit his job as a server at the Summit location. Harvest Restaurant Group owner Chip Grabowski, however, told Daily Voice he did what needed to be done immediately after being notified of the positive case on Nov. 8. "All employees were notified on location immediately," he said. "Prior to to this call I was …
COVID-19: More Than Dozen NJ Hospitals, Nursing Homes Cited For Violations COVID-19: More Than Dozen NJ Hospitals, Nursing Homes Cited For Violations
Covid-19: More Than Dozen NJ Hospitals, Nursing Homes Cited For Violations More than a dozen New Jersey hospitals and nursing homes were issued citations from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for violations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 14 New Jersey facilities are among 37 ticketed nationwide, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $484,069.   New Jersey had more hospitals cited than any other state, totaling $252,150. Hospitals and nursing homes issued violations and their penalties include: Valley Hospital Inc., Ridgewood, $8,675 Valley Physician Services Inc., Waldwick, $…
Construction Worker Struck By Backhoe In Midland Park Construction Worker Struck By Backhoe In Midland Park
Construction Worker Struck By Backhoe In Midland Park A construction worker was hospitalized after being struck Wednesday afternoon by a backhoe in Midland Park. The Kemsco Construction and Equipment Company (Newark) worker was injured shortly before 4:30 p.m. behind the Midland Park Shopping Center on Godwin Avenue. Members of the Midland Park Ambulance Corps tended to the worker and took him to the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. There was no immediate word on the extent of the injury. OSHA was notified. Midland Park and Wyckoff police also responded.
NJ Roof Worker Who Fell 30 Feet To His Death Had Heartbreaking Final Facebook Posts NJ Roof Worker Who Fell 30 Feet To His Death Had Heartbreaking Final Facebook Posts
NJ Roof Worker Who Fell 30 Feet To His Death Had Heartbreaking Final Facebook Posts A roof worker fell 30 feet to his death while on a warehouse roof in Bridgewater, authorities said. Frank Bartholomew, 34, was working at Brook Warehouse on Van Veghten Drive when he fell onto the warehouse floor, around 10:30 p.m. Monday, Bridgewater Police Lt. Thomas Rice said. First responders began lifesaving measures when they arrived. Bartholomew, of Pennsylvania, was transported Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Brunswick, where he later died of his injuries, Rice said. Bartholomew had repeatedly posted messages on Facebook saying how much he loved his wife and stepson in th…
PSE&G Workers Burned In Teaneck Gas Flash Fire PSE&G Workers Burned In Teaneck Gas Flash Fire
PSE&G Workers Burned In Teaneck Gas Flash Fire Two PSE&G workers were burned Thursday – one seriously – when they struck a gas line that ignited on a Teaneck street, authorities said. Both were working in a construction hole on Merrison Street near Grange Road when the fire flashed shortly before 11 a.m., Deputy Police Chief John Faggello said. “Apparently, they were using a cutting instrument when they struck a gas line that ignited,” Faggello said. “One employee was severely burned on the arm while the second had less serious burns.” The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps and medics responded along with police, the deputy chief sa…
Tree Worker From Bergenfield Falls To Death In Ridgewood Tree Worker From Bergenfield Falls To Death In Ridgewood
Tree Worker From Bergenfield Falls To Death In Ridgewood A tree worker fell to his death Thursday in Ridgewood. The 35-year-old Bergenfield worker for Arrow Tree Service in Old Tappan was nearly 30 feet up when he fell and tree limb landed on top of him at a Waiku Road home off Carlton Terrace at 8:40 a.m., Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke said. He was killed instantly, responders said. Village police, firefighters and ALS and BLS units responded. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and co-workers.
COVID-19: Amazon Worker At Central Jersey Warehouse Tests Positive COVID-19: Amazon Worker At Central Jersey Warehouse Tests Positive
Covid-19: Amazon Worker At Central Jersey Warehouse Tests Positive At least one Amazon employee at a Mercer County warehouse reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus, increasing the reported total in New Jersey to three on Monday. Amazon confirmed a diagnosed case of coronavirus in the company's Robbinsville facility, NJ.com reported. "We’ve taken extreme measures to keep people safe, tripling down on deep cleaning, procuring available safety supplies & maintaining safe distances," Amazon tweeted. "Our employees are heroes fighting for their communities & we couldn’t be more grateful." The report came amid a protest by workers at A…