OSHA has cited Bayonne-based Jay Imports Co. for two willful and eight serious violations for exposing workers to fall, "struck-by" and other safety hazards at the company's warehouse. Proposed penalties total $125,300.

The willful violations, carrying penalties of $98,000, are due to the company's practice of transporting employees throughout the warehouse on the forks of forklifts and raising them to heights of up to 20 feet, while standing, to pick orders. This practice exposed workers to fall and struck-by hazards.

The eight serious violations, with penalties of $27,300, involve failing to provide a written hazard communications program, ensure exit routes and doors were unobstructed, properly post exit signage, provide employees exposed to battery acid with protective gloves as well as an eye wash and eye protection, require employees exposed to hazards that could cause foot injuries to wear appropriate foot protection, provide forklift training, provide refresher training to employees operating forklifts in an unsafe manner, provide hazard communication training, ensure effective closure of unused breaker openings and provide material safety data sheets for sulfuric acid.

Jay Imports Co. distributes tabletop merchandise and employs 35 workers at its Bayonne warehouse.