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Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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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 …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
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, …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Sanitation Worker, 23, Was Transferring Trash When He Was Struck, Killed In Bergen County: Cops Sanitation Worker, 23, Was Transferring Trash When He Was Struck, Killed In Bergen County: Cops
Sanitation Worker, 23, Was Transferring Trash When He Was Struck, Killed In Bergen County: 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…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Worker Hit In Head By Backhoe, Killed While Demolishing Home: Scotch Plains PD Worker Hit In Head By Backhoe, Killed While Demolishing Home: Scotch Plains PD
Worker Hit In Head By Backhoe, Killed While Demolishing Home: Scotch Plains PD A man died after he was struck with the bucket of a backhoe while demolishing a home in Scotch Plains on the afternoon of Monday, Aug. 12, authorities said. Officers responded to the scene at 3:30 p.m. and located the victim who had severe head trauma, Scotch Plains police said in a release. An NJ State Police medical choppter was requested to the scene, landing at Scotch Plains Fanwood High School, but the man was transported to Overlook Hospital in Summit via Union County Ambulance, police said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said. His name is being withheld pending next o…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Worker, 22, Killed While Operating Tree Equipment At Cemetery In Hunterdon County: Prosecutor Worker, 22, Killed While Operating Tree Equipment At Cemetery In Hunterdon County: Prosecutor
Worker, 22, Killed While Operating Tree Equipment At Cemetery In Hunterdon County: Prosecutor A 22-year-old Flemington man was killed while operating tree-chipping equipment at a cemetery on Wednesday, July 10, authorities said. At 6:20 p.m., police responded to Saint Magdalen Cemetery in Flemington and found Eonias Mateo-Perez dead from his injuries, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson said.  His death was accidental, authorities said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating, authorities said.

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by Sam Barron
News
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…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Convicted Rockland Roofer Agrees To Pay OSHA $687,536 For Endangering Workers At Bergen Site Convicted Rockland Roofer Agrees To Pay OSHA $687,536 For Endangering Workers At Bergen Site
Convicted Rockland Roofer Agrees To Pay Osha $687,536 For Endangering Workers At Bergen Site A roofing company will pay the government $687,536 for leaving workers vulnerable to potentially deadly falls at a Bergen County construction site, OSHA reported. The decision to stop fighting the fines and penalties came roughly a week before ALJ Home Improvement of Rockland County was to go to trial against the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration over conditions at a job site in Ho-Ho-Kus (see photo above). It also comes two months before Jose Lema, ALJ's founder and principal, is due to be sentenced in federal court for the February 2022 death of an employee at a constr…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Essex County Doc Who Overprescribed Pills Forfeits Practice: State AG Essex County Doc Who Overprescribed Pills Forfeits Practice: State AG
Essex County Doc Who Overprescribed Pills Forfeits Practice: State AG An Essex County doctor has been forced to give up his practice after the state charged him with indiscriminately prescribing high volumes of controlled dangerous substances to patients he treated for addiction. Dr. Marc Watson, a vascular surgeon who had a practice in Cedar Grove, prescribed high volumes of stimulants, narcotics and depressants without sufficient medical justification, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said.  Watson engaged inadequate physical exams, patient monitoring and record keeping, Platkin said. Watson admitted he had no formal training in addiction medicine …

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Construction Worker Killed By Machinery On Route 280 (UPDATE) Construction Worker Killed By Machinery On Route 280 (UPDATE)
Construction Worker Killed By Machinery On Route 280 (Update) A 58-year-old construction worker was fatally struck by machinery early Wednesday, Jan. 10 on Route 280, authorities said. Jose Rosales-Cumbicos, of Newark, was struck around 6:25 a.m. on the westbound side of the highway in Newark near milepost 13.4, New Jersey State Police Trooper Troy McNair said. Rosales-Cumbico died as a result of his injuries, McNair said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said it is investigating the incident.

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
New Brunswick Dad Crushed Dead By Loading Ramp At Work ID'd By Family New Brunswick Dad Crushed Dead By Loading Ramp At Work ID'd By Family
New Brunswick Dad Crushed Dead By Loading Ramp At Work ID'd By Family Family and officials have identified the man fatally crushed to death by a loading dock at work as a 38-year-old New Brunswick dad. Orlando Feliciano was killed while working at Fenix Parts Rahway on Thursday, Dec. 28, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Feliciano was killed when he was crushed by a loading ramp, Robert Brady of the Woodbridge Police Department tells NJ Advance Media.. Brady did not respond to a phone call by press time. Born in Newark, Feliciano was married to Carmen Mota, and had three children, Isabella, Jeremias and Anthony, according to his…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Plant Worker Dies In Central Jersey Industrial Accident: Reports Plant Worker Dies In Central Jersey Industrial Accident: Reports
Plant Worker Dies In Central Jersey Industrial Accident: Reports A plant worker died in a Central Jersey industrial accident this week, various reports say. The female worker died in a heavy machinery accident at United Premium Foods on Amboy Avenue in Woodbridge Township, Friday afternoon, July 28, CBS News reports. Lenore Uddyback-Fortson, regional director for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) confirmed an investigation is underway.  United Premium Foods CEO Ken Mayer told the outlet the entire company was devastated by the loss of the longtime employee. Click here for more from CBS News.

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Four Story Fall Leaves Man Critical In Jersey City: Authorities Four Story Fall Leaves Man Critical In Jersey City: Authorities
Four Story Fall Leaves Man Critical In Jersey City: Authorities A man is in critical condition after falling four stories while working on a construction site in Jersey City on Monday, June 5, authorities said. The man was working on the roof at 664 Ocean Ave. when he fell down to the basement of the building, Kimberly Wallace-Scalfione, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office said. Firefighters transported him to Jersey City Medical Center in critical condition with injuries to his head and right arm, Wallace-Scalfione said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified and an investigation is ongoing, Wallace-Scalfione said.

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Man Seriously Injured In Construction Accident In Jersey City Man Seriously Injured In Construction Accident In Jersey City
Man Seriously Injured In Construction Accident In Jersey City A man was taken to a nearby hospital in Jersey City with serious injuries after a large piece of equipment fell on him at a construction site on the morning of Thursday, May 4. Jersey City police, fire and the Office of Emergency Management all responded to the scene at 532 Summit Ave., Kimberly Wallace-Scalfione, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office said.  The intersection of Summit and Pavonia is being closed to traffic while the investigation continues, Wallace-Scalfione said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified, Wallace-Scalfione said.

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
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 …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Feds Investigate 3 Deaths In 3 Weeks At NJ Amazon Facilities: OSHA Feds Investigate 3 Deaths In 3 Weeks At NJ Amazon Facilities: OSHA
Feds Investigate 3 Deaths In 3 Weeks At NJ Amazon Facilities: Osha Federal officials are investigating the deaths of three Amazon workers who died within three weeks of each other at facilities in New Jersey.  The deaths occurred between July 13 and Aug. 4, according to the regional director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Leni Fortson, Regional Director of Public Affairs, confirmed OSHA is investigating the following: A worker fatality on July 13 at an Amazon facility in Carteret An accident on July 24 at an Amazon facility in Robbinsville. The worker died on July 27. A worker fatality on Aug. 4 at an Amazon facility in…

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by Jon Craig
News
Faulty Lithium Battery Ignites Bergen Home Fire Faulty Lithium Battery Ignites Bergen Home Fire
Faulty Lithium Battery Ignites Bergen Home Fire A damaged lithium battery ignited a living room fire in Dumont, responders said. The fire broke out in a home at the corner of East Madison Avenue and Depew Street shortly after 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 13. Firefighters quickly knocked it down, containing it to a single room. No injuries were reported. A large amount of energy -- with voltage up to three times more than other battery types -- create enough heat in lithium batteries to cause fires or explosions. A recent study blamed more than 400 fires in a five-year period on products powered by lithium batteries, according to the U…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
$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…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
NJ Worker Crushed By 6,000 Pounds Of Porcelain Dies, Authorities Say NJ Worker Crushed By 6,000 Pounds Of Porcelain Dies, Authorities Say
NJ Worker Crushed By 6,000 Pounds Of Porcelain Dies, Authorities Say A construction worker in North Jersey was killed after apparently being crushed by 6,000 pounds of porcelain that fell on him Monday, police said. The incident on Harrison Avenue was being investigated by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  The incident occurred at Porcelain Source, headquartered in Kearny, an OSHA representative told Daily Voice. Subsequent reports said the victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital and in cardiac arrest. Roseland Mayor James Spango on Tuesday announced the unidentified worker had died. "The Borough of Roseland, NJ would li…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
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, $…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
2 New Jersey Health Facilities Cited For Failing To Protect Employees During COVID-19 Pandemic 2 New Jersey Health Facilities Cited For Failing To Protect Employees During COVID-19 Pandemic
2 New Jersey Health Facilities Cited For Failing To Protect Employees During Covid-19 Pandemic A pair of New Jersey hospitals were issued citations by the U.S. Labor Department for failing to protect workers from COVID-19. CarePlus Bergen Inc., and Hackensack Meridian Health Residential Care Inc., were each slapped with citations from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). CarePlus is accused of violating respiratory standards at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, while Hackensack Meridian failed to provide respirators to resident-care employees at its North Bergen facility, OSHA announced Friday. A New Brid…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Construction Worker Killed In Jersey City Trench Collapse Construction Worker Killed In Jersey City Trench Collapse
Construction Worker Killed In Jersey City Trench Collapse A 35-year-old construction worker died after a trench collapsed on him in Jersey City Thursday morning, authorities said. The worker was installing a water line on Route 440 when the incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., the city's director of communications Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said. Occupational Safety and Health Administration was at the scene as of 12:40 p.m.

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by Cecilia Levine
News
$2M Settlement Reached After 21-Year-Old Construction Worker's Fatal Fall From Castle Forklift $2M Settlement Reached After 21-Year-Old Construction Worker's Fatal Fall From Castle Forklift
$2M Settlement Reached After 21-Year-Old Construction Worker's Fatal Fall From Castle Forklift A $2 million settlement has been reached in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a 21-year-old construction worker who fell to his death from a forklift in Morris County in 2016. The forks fell off a forklift as it was lowering Michael Montero of Elizabeth, who was on-site of the Legacy Castle in Pequannock, the Occupational Safety Health Administration and his family said. Montero, formerly of Belleville and Pompton Plains, fell 20 feet to his death and was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Clark Law Firm, representing Montero's family. Th…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Worker At Kearny Company Seriously Burned In Accident Worker At Kearny Company Seriously Burned In Accident
Worker At Kearny Company Seriously Burned In Accident An employee of a Kearny business was rushed to St. Barnabas Medical Center Monday afternoon after he was burned with molten metal, police said.  The victim, a 37-year-old Elizabeth man, was working at Kearny Smelting & Refining Corp. on Harrison Avenue around 12:45 p.m. when a furnace "burped," splashing liquid metal. The man suffered burns to his hands, feet and buttocks, police said.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified and is investigating, police also said. 

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by Paul Milo
News
Feds Fine Landscaper $17K After Carbon Monoxide Kills 2 West New York Workers Feds Fine Landscaper $17K After Carbon Monoxide Kills 2 West New York Workers
Feds Fine Landscaper $17K After Carbon Monoxide Kills 2 West New York Workers A Bergen County landscaper was fined more than $17,000 by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration for exposing employees to carbon monoxide -- killing two from West New York. Police found two AJR Landscaping Inc. workers overcome by fumes from a running lawnmower with them in a closed trailer in Washington Township around 8 a.m. last December. The workers were found unresponsive and not breathing on the ground at the  17-acre Washington Pond condominium complex off Pascack Road and Linwood Avenue. CPR was conducted on both at the scene before they were rushed to…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Feds Fine Cresskill Landscaper $17K After Carbon Monoxide Kills 2 Workers Feds Fine Cresskill Landscaper $17K After Carbon Monoxide Kills 2 Workers
Feds Fine Cresskill Landscaper $17K After Carbon Monoxide Kills 2 Workers A Cresskill landscaper was fined more than $17,000 by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration for exposing employees to carbon monoxide -- killing two of them. Police found two AJR Landscaping Inc. workers overcome by fumes from a running lawnmower with them in a closed trailer in Washington Township around 8 a.m. last December. The West New York landscapers were found unresponsive and not breathing on the ground at the  17-acre Washington Pond condominium complex off Pascack Road and Linwood Avenue. CPR was conducted on both at the scene before they were rushed…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Man Rescued From Collapsed Trench In Pequannock Man Rescued From Collapsed Trench In Pequannock
Man Rescued From Collapsed Trench In Pequannock First-responders from throughout the region took part in an intricate rescue Monday to save the life of a man entrapped when a trench collapsed at a Pequannock work site.  The incident began around 9 a.m. on Lincoln Road near the Knights of Columbus Hall, where the person was buried up to the waist, said Jerry Speziale, the police director for the city of Paterson.  Paterson first-responders belong to the Metro Search and Rescue Team,  a multi-agency unit that handles technical rescues.  Paterson firefighters helped secure the trench by shoring up its sides as other age…

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by Paul Milo