An Arlington-based company faces six-figure fines after an on-duty accident left an employee with severe facial burns, federal workplace regulators announced Monday.
Doskocil Manufacturing Inc., which does business as Petmate, faces $278,851 in proposed penalties, according to a Department of Labor statement. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation into the December incident found nine safety violations, including one “willful” violation by the company, the release continued.
“Petmate takes the health and safety of our employees incredibly seriously,” a company spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday. “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 take care quickly.”
Doskocil Manufacturing has 15 business days to respond. It can comply and pay a fine, request an informal meeting with the OSHA 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 manufactures 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 several brands, including Chuckit!, Pet Qwerks, Healthy Chews, Gamma2, JW and La-Z-Boy.
During their investigation, OSHA inspectors found three workers at Doskocil Manufacturing using a pry bar to cut off excess plastic, called drool, while they were cleaning a structural foam machine. An injection nozzle detached and sprayed molten plastic into a worker’s face, 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 work areas are free of slip 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, OSHA’s Fort Worth regional director. “Petmate’s failure to comply with federal safety regulations exposed its employees to serious risk, resulting in one worker suffering serious injuries.”
