OSHA inspectors uncovered the violations during a visit to Elan Chemical Company's Doremus Avenue plant in August
Elan Chemical Co.'s facility on Doremus Avenue in Newark. (Google Maps)NEWARK - A city-based chemical manufacturer has been fined more than $70,000 for what what federal authorities are calling serious safety violations."
Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Adminisration issued 17 citations after a visit to Elan Chemical Company's headquarters on Doremus Avenue in August, the agency said in a news release.
Among the hazards they found were deficiencies in its equipment process safety information, written operating procedures, contractor safety and its inspection and testing of equipment.
Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office, said in a statement that Elan's haphazard use of ethyl chloride, a highly flammable liquefied gas, creates "a hazardous environment" for workers.
OSHA investigating deceased elevator worker's 7-story fall
"The company's failure to comply with OSHA's Process Safety Management standard could result in a chemical release, as well as a serious fire or explosion," she said.
Elan has been fined a total of $72,100 for the violations, and will have until later this month to either comply, contest the penalties or request a meeting with a New Jersey-based OSHA director.
Company representatives did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday.
Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.