Furniture maker settles with feds over cancer-causing chemicals

A New Jersey furniture manufacturer has reached a settlement with a federal safety agency to pay $123,000 and fix a slew of health and safety violations, including exposing workers to a cancer-causing chemical.

North Arlington-based Sterling Seating Inc. manufactures commercial furniture for restaurants, bars and churches. It agreed to correct hazards found during a 2012 safety inspection. Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors issued more than 40 citations.

OSHA's regional administrator in New York, Robert Kulick, says the settlement "will go a long way in ensuring that Sterling Seating workers are protected from exposure" to "potentially deadly" methylene chloride.

Among other things, the company agreed to install a new ventilation system, conduct air monitoring and offer employee training on using methylene chloride.

A message left Thursday seeking comment from a company representative hasn't been returned.

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