The East Rutherford plant where a fire broke out Thursday was cited at least five times in the past six years for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, according to government records obtained Friday by NJ Advance Media.
Diamond Chemical Company, which is located on Union Avenue and Dubois Street off Route 17, was most recently cited for safety violations on May 28. The soap-and-detergent manufacturer was also cited on Feb. 8, Oct. 5, 2018, Jan. 1, 2014 and on Feb. 15, 2013, according to OSHA records. On Feb. 8, the company was cited for failing to “establish, implement, and maintain a written Respiratory Protection Program” for an employee who was exposed to high levels of sodium hydroxide.
In 2018, the company was cited for not providing employees with proper eye protection. According to the citation, some employees were working with corrosive chemicals known to cause serious eye irritation. The company was fined $5,115 for the violation, records show.