Region 2 News Release: 10-1366-NEW/BOS 2010-415
Oct. 5, 2010
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
E-mail: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA proposes more than $83,000 in fines to
Oneida County, NY, manufacturer for 34 alleged safety violations

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited The Fountainhead Group Inc. of New York Mills, N.Y., for 34 serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The company, which manufactures agricultural hand sprayers for consumers, faces a total of $83,650 in proposed fines following a comprehensive safety inspection conducted under OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program.

"This inspection identified a broad cross-section of hazards which, if uncorrected, expose employees to potential falls, electric shock, crushing, burns or machinery injuries," said Christopher Adams, OSHA's area director in Syracuse. "The employer must take and maintain effective corrective action for the safety of workers at this plant."

Specifically, the company was cited for failing to inspect and rate the lifting capacity of overhead hoists; unlock exits and mark exit doors; mark exit aisles and passageways; guard overhead storage areas; provide safe access to elevated work locations; properly maintain paint spray booths; provide adequate personal protective equipment; develop lockout/tagout procedures and training; provide fire extinguisher training; guard moving machine parts; maintain safety devices on presses; guard, maintain and ground electrical equipment; and develop a chemical hazard communication program. 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.

"One means of eliminating hazards such as these is for employers to establish a safety and health program in which workers and management jointly work to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions on a continual basis," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York.

The Fountainhead Group has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Syracuse Area Office, 3300 Vickery Road, North Syracuse, N.Y. 13212; telephone 315-451-0808. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (321-6742).

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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