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MedPlast’s West Berlin facility cited by OSHAMedPlast’s West Berlin facility cited by OSHA

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Tempe, AZ-based MedPlast Inc. for several violations at the company's West Berlin, NJ facility. The findings of a March 17 inspection, released in a June 21 report, were part of OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program for employers with higher-than-average injury and illness rates. Proposed penalties for MedPlast totaled $72,000.

Clare Goldsberry

June 29, 2011

1 Min Read
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"By disregarding OSHA's standards, MedPlast exposed its workers to serious injuries and possible death," said Paula Dixon-Roderick, director of OSHA's Marlton Area office. "It is vital that the company address all of the identified hazards to ensure that employees have a safe and healthful work environment."

MedPlast, a medical molder and contract manufacturer with five facilities throughout the U.S., was cited with 17 "serious violations carrying $70,000 in fines" including items such as failure to provide protective eyewear approved by the American National Standards Institute; failure to provide written energy lockout/tagout procedures; and failure to visibly mark a crane's rated load, among others. There were nine "other-than-serious" violations carrying $2000 in fines.

Robert Piccoli, general manager of MedPlast West Berlin, acknowledged that OSHA did come into the facility and issued several citations as a result of its inspection. "MedPlast deemed these items to involve simple corrective actions and, with the exception of one issue, they have already been remediated," said Piccoli in a statement prepared for PlasticsToday. "The one open issue relates to lowering the decibel level related to a brand new piece of equipment and MedPlast is working with the machine manufacturer to remediate this issue, a process that should be completed shortly."

Piccoli added, "As always we hold all OSHA requirements in the highest regard and with great respect, thus the reason for our prompt and quick response. The importance of safety of our employees goes hand-in-hand with the quality of our work and the pride MedPlast carries throughout the organization. By the time this report was released, as mentioned, all items but one had already been remediated."

About the Author

Clare Goldsberry

Until she retired in September 2021, Clare Goldsberry reported on the plastics industry for more than 30 years. In addition to the 10,000+ articles she has written, by her own estimation, she is the author of several books, including The Business of Injection Molding: How to succeed as a custom molder and Purchasing Injection Molds: A buyers guide. Goldsberry is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. She reflected on her long career in "Time to Say Good-Bye."

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