Locked fire exit opens door to flood of safety violations for food firm

A New Jersey-based food wholesaler is facing $112,700 in proposed fines from U.S. health and safety regulators for violations including blocked fire exits and fall hazards.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Passaic, New Jersey-based Oaxaca Mexican Products Inc. for one willful violation after agency inspectors found an exit door and route obstructed by locking devices that require special knowledge and tools to open in case of emergency, the agency said Monday in a statement. The agency had previously cited the company for the same type of condition on the same door in March 2009.

The company was also cited for 20 serious violations, including fall hazards, inadequate and improper exit signage, lack of machine guarding and improperly spliced electrical cable, according to the agency.

“The fact that Oaxaca has again put its employees' lives at risk by not making sure a fire safety door was easily opened is completely unacceptable,” Lisa Levy, director of OSHA's Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, area office, said in the statement. “In this day and age, providing employees with proper emergency exits is safety 101.”

A company spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.