OSHA Fines Florida Hair Care Companies for Unsafe Formaldehyde Exposure

Earlier this year, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA ) issued warnings to a number of hair care product manufacturers and distributors concerning unsafe working conditions. Salon users and stylists using certain products were found to be unwittingly exposed to formaldehyde and were suffering from the adverse health effects of chemical exposure. Now OSHA is striking back against the companies by issuing massive fines, citing that the accused failed to protect their workers and properly warn product users of the hazards.

“Employers are responsible for identifying the risks associated with producing and using these hair products, as well as for taking appropriate measures to ensure that they protect their own employees and other workers who may be using their products, such as stylists, from any potential hazards,” said Cindy Coe, OSHA’s regional administrator in Atlanta.

Investigative work by Oregon OSHA had initially unveiled that a number of dangerous products could be traced back to Florida manufacturers and distributors. Upon closer inspection, OSHA alleges that the companies willingly or unknowingly failed to follow the proper health and safety regulations associated with products utilizing formaldehyde.

M&M International Inc., a distributor of the straightening hair product “Marcia Teixeira,” and Copomon Enterprises, a distributor of the product “Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy,” have been cited for three serious violations and fined $12,600 each. Pro Skin Solutions Inc., a manufacturer of products used for hair straightening, has been cited for five serious violations with penalties of $15,000. Additionally, Keratronics Inc., a manufacturer of keratin-based products used for hair straightening, has been cited for three serious violations and will face penalties of $9,000. In total, OSHA plans to fine the hair care companies $49,200.