An Arlington-based company is facing a six-figure fine after an on-duty accident left an employee with severe facial burns, federal workplace regulators announced Monday.
Doskocil Manufacturing Inc., which operates as Petmate, faces $278,851 in proposed penalties, according to a Department of Labor news release. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation of the December incident found nine safety violations, including one “willful” violation by the company, the release continues.
“Petmate takes the health and safety of our employees incredibly seriously,” a company spokesperson said in a Tuesday statement. “We cannot comment on specifics related to employee matters. That said, we do not necessarily agree with these citations and their stated severity; we are working diligently with OSHA to resolve the issues and concerns expeditiously.”
Doskocil Manufacturing has 15 business days to respond. It can comply and pay the fine, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission — an independent agency charged with reviewing citations or penalties issued by OSHA.
Petmate makes and distributes a range of pet products, including bedding, kennels, feeding and watering products, litter maintenance products, toys, collars and travel equipment. The products are sold under a number of brands, including Chuckit!, Pet Qwerks, Healthy Chews, Gamma2, JW and La-Z-Boy.
During their investigation, OSHA inspectors found three workers at Doskocil Manufacturing were using a pry bar to break off excess plastic, called drool, as they cleaned a structural foam machine. An injection nozzle then dislodged and sprayed molten plastic into the face of one worker, causing second- and third-degree burns.
OSHA cited the company, the release states, for failing to “isolate energy sources to protect workers” from serious injuries; develop safety procedures for safe cleaning and maintenance of machinery; ensure walkways and working areas are free of slipping hazards to prevent slips and falls and provide eye protection for workers using structural foam machines.
“When proper safety processes and procedures are ignored, industrial workplaces can be dangerous and unforgiving for employees,” said Timothy Minor, a director of OSHA’s Fort Worth region. “Petmate’s failures to comply with federal safety regulations exposed its employees to serious dangers, resulting in one worker suffering severe injuries.”
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