09-853-NEW/BOS 2009-221
Wed., July 22, 2009
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074

U.S. Labor Department's OSHA proposes more than $109,000 in fines against Plattsburgh, N.Y., manufacturer for recurring hazards

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Multina USA Inc. of Plattsburgh, N.Y., for seven alleged repeat and serious violations of safety and health standards, and for failing to correct a previously cited violation at its Idaho Avenue manufacturing plant. The maker of composite train seats faces a total of $109,400 in proposed fines.

OSHA opened a follow-up inspection at the plant in January 2009 to verify correction of conditions cited during a 2008 OSHA inspection. OSHA found the recurrence of several types of hazards, including the improper storage, transfer and handling of flammable liquids, and the company's failure to provide workers with chemical resistant protective gloves and hazard communications training.

As a result, OSHA has issued the company five repeat citations with $75,000 in proposed fines. OSHA issues repeat citations when an employer previously has been cited for substantially similar hazards and those citations have become final.

OSHA also has issued Multina USA Inc. one failure to abate notice with a $30,000 fine for not informing workers of their right to access their medical records, a violation the company did not correct after the previous OSHA inspection.

Finally, OSHA has issued the company two serious citations, with $4,400 in fines, for new hazards involving lack of machine guarding on a router and excess air pressure for a compressed air hose. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.

"Failure to effectively address these conditions leaves anyone working in this location exposed to potentially fatal burns and amputation hazards," said Edward Jerome, OSHA's area director in Albany. "One means by which employers can prevent serious workplace hazards is through an effective safety and health management system in which they work with their employees to actively identify, analyze and eliminate hazardous conditions."

Multina USA Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspections were conducted by OSHA's Albany Area Office; telephone 518-464-4338.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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