New Jersey Industrial Laundry Workers Face Dangerous Working Conditions
Industrial laundry work may seem routine, but employees at commercial laundry facilities in New Jersey can face serious risks involving heavy machinery, extreme heat, hazardous chemicals and unsafe working conditions.
A yearlong investigation found that workers at industrial laundries across the state have suffered severe burns, chemical exposures, electrical shocks, falls, amputations and other serious injuries. The facilities process thousands of pounds of linens every day for hotels, hospitals, nursing homes and other businesses throughout New Jersey and the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas.
Unlike neighborhood laundromats, industrial facilities operate more like factories. Workers may spend their shifts around enormous washing machines, dryers, ironing presses, conveyor belts and overhead rail systems. Some machines can be as large as 15 feet tall and 60 feet wide. The equipment moves quickly and handles extremely heavy loads, creating hazards similar to those found in manufacturing facilities.
One worker suffered life-threatening injuries after becoming trapped inside an industrial dryer. The machine began turning while he was inside, exposing him to intense heat and rapidly moving laundry. Coworkers eventually opened the dryer and pulled him out. He spent about a month in a coma and suffered severe burns and permanent vocal cord damage. More than a year later, he continued undergoing physical therapy and had difficulty walking and talking.
Other incidents demonstrate the dangers of inadequate machine safeguards. At one New Jersey facility, a worker lost a hand after a washing machine’s safety locks failed. Employees reportedly had been forced to pry open the machine while it was operating. In another case, a worker entered a machine to retrieve a severed finger, creating the possibility that the equipment could restart while the employee was inside.
Federal workplace safety records show that more than one-third of approximately 75 industrial laundry operators in New Jersey received citations during the past decade for putting employees at risk. Violations ranged from inadequate safety documentation to exposed machinery and failures to establish procedures preventing equipment from unexpectedly restarting.
Chemical and biological hazards are significant. Workers handling hospital linens may encounter blood, bodily fluids, mold, needles, broken glass and other contaminated materials. One company was cited for failing to properly train workers about bloodborne diseases.
Enforcement can be complicated because many workplace injuries are never reported to federal regulators. OSHA requires employers to report certain serious incidents, including fatalities, amputations and overnight hospitalizations, but other injuries may remain on internal company logs unless inspectors request those records.
Fear of retaliation can further discourage employees from reporting dangerous conditions, particularly immigrant and low-wage workers who may be unfamiliar with their workplace rights. However, for employees injured in industrial laundry accidents, understanding workplace safety rights, workers’ compensation benefits, and potential legal remedies is critical.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Workplace accidents can happen in any type of environment. Workers need to be cautious and understand their legal rights in the event of an accident.
A Morristown work-related accident attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can advise you of your rights in terms of filing a claim. We will help you get the compensation you need for your injuries. Call (973) 455-1567 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.
Source:
nj.com/hudson/2026/08/he-was-cooked-alive-in-an-industrial-dryer-inside-the-bloody-business-of-cleaning-njs-dirty-laundry.html
