Region 2 News Release:     BOS 2001-190
Thursday, December 20, 2001
Contact: John Chavez or Chris Adams
Phone: 617-565-2075     315-451-0808 Ext. 3021

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Failure of a Hammondsport, N.Y., computer manufacturer to follow a range of safety and health standards has resulted in 50 citations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and proposed penalties of $105,750.

The U.S. Labor Department agency today cited Mercury Aircraft, Inc. for unsafe conditions at its Wheeler Ave. plant ranging from poor maintenance of machinery to fire and electrical hazards and inadequate records of job-related injuries.

Mercury Aircraft had an injury and illness rate greater than average for manufacturing facilities and was inspected by OSHA's Syracuse area office under the "Site Specific Targeting Program." The program focuses enforcement resources on work places that are most likely to have hazardous conditions that must be corrected, according to Diane M. Brayden, OSHA area director in Syracuse.

Among 42 alleged serious violations found during the inspection were inadequate maintenance of overhead hoists, lifting devices, forklifts, bench grinders and spray paint areas; unguarded floor openings; failure to provide personal protective equipment; inadequate ventilation of flammable storage rooms and improperly stored flammable liquids.

The company also did not have "lockout-tagout" procedures in place to prevent the accidental startup of machinery undergoing maintenance or repair, and had neither electrical safety procedures and training nor a confined-space program and training for employees.

The alleged serious violations carry a total proposed penalty of $103,050.

Alleged other-than-serious violations included: failure to maintain adequate record keeping documentation; failure to maintain adequate respiratory protection program; using extension cords as permanent wiring, and failure to maintain punch press inspection records. These violations carry a total proposed penalty of $2,700.

A serious violation is defined by OSHA as a condition where there is a substantial possibility that death or serious physical harm can result. An other-than-serious violation is a hazardous condition that would probably not cause death or serious physical harm, but would have a direct and immediate relationship to the safety and health of employees.