Parsippany business fined $56K by OSHA

A Parsippany company was cited for 10 violations totaling $56,000 in penalties by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA determined that workers at Zimmer TMT (Trabecular Metal Technology), a Parsippany company specializing in orthopedic implants, lacked proper training and a plan to respond when chlorine gas leaked at the plant.

The accidental gas leak sickened four employees on Sept. 13 when employees were moving a chlorine gas cylinder without a valve protective cap when the container fell and began to leak, OSHA said.

“Lacking training in how to respond, no emergency response plan in place and inadequate respiratory protection, the workers were sickened as they tried to contain the leak,” OSHA said in a statement.

Unprepared to respond when the dangerous gas leaked, the workers eventually evacuated the plant and several employees received emergency medical treatment, according to the findings of the OSHA investigation.

Four workers were taken to the hospital and released that day. Other employees were evaluated at the scene but were not hospitalized, OSHA said.

“Zimmer TMT is in the business of healthcare and should be aware of the potential health and safety hazards to which its employees could be exposed,” said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA’s Parsippany Area Office. “Chlorine gas is poisonous and can cause death. Employers using highly hazardous chemicals absolutely must be prepared for emergencies, and this company clearly was not.”

Following the investigation, Zimmer was cited for 10 serious violations, several of which the OSHA said directly contributed to the leak, for a total of $56,000 in penalties.

A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The orthopedic device manufacturer was found to have lacked an adequate emergency response plan, allowed exit routes to be obstructed, machines to operate without proper safety mechanisms, and several electrical hazards to exist, OSHA said.

Zimmer Holdings Inc., operating as Zimmer TMT, has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet informally with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission.

Calls to Zimmer seeking comment were not returned.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636: mizzo@dailyrecord.com