OSHA Fines Cosmetics Firm $281K After Man Killed in Fire

A cosmetics firm was fined $281,220 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for its role in a Nov. 2017 fire at its New Windsor, NY plant that fatally injured a 57-year-old worker.

The victim, identified as William Huntington, died the fire on Nov. 20, 2017 and more than 30 others were injured. Local news reports said more than 120 firefighters responded to the scene.

OSHA cited Verla International LTD for 11 violations – including compressed air hazards, failing to ensure proper electrical grounding, and neglecting to develop and implement an emergency response plan – after an investigation.

“An employer’s adherence to safety and health standards, including the proper and safe transfer of flammable liquids, is critical to preventing fire, explosions, and other incidents that can seriously or fatally injure workers,” Robert Garvey, OSHA’s Albany area office director, said in a statement.

The company was cited for similar violations five years ago, Garvey stated.

Verla has 15 business days after receiving the citations to comply, schedule an informal conference with an OSHA area director, or challenge the agency’s findings before an independent panel.

A private label contract packaging and filling firm founded in 1980, New Windsor-based Verla offers nail polish, color cosmetics, personal care items, creams, lotions, fragrances and more, according to the company’s website. Its 50-acre campus features 250,000-sq-ft of manufacturing, warehouse, office, and laboratory space.