OSHA fines Remington Arms after worker loses fingertip at Ilion factory

ILION, N.Y. — The Ilion location of Remington Arms Company LLC is facing more than $210,000 in fines for 27 workplace-safety violations after an employee’s finger tip was amputated.

The employee had been working on a broaching machine at the time, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said in a Wednesday news release. OSHA is part of the U.S. Department of Labor.

OSHA inspectors found “numerous” safety violations. They included a “lack” of machine guarding and exposures to electrical, chemical, ladder, tripping, crushing, and struck-by hazards.

The Madison, North Carolina–based Remington Arms was also cited for “several” health violations, per the OSHA release. They included failing to conduct atmospheric testing in confined spaces; to monitor lead exposure levels; to implement a hearing-conservation program; to provide first-aid training and appropriate protective clothing for employees working with corrosive chemicals; to protect employees from exposure to cadmium; and to label hazardous chemicals containers.

“The violations identified exposed employees to serious and potentially life-threatening injuries,” Jeffrey Prebish, Syracuse–area director of OSHA, said in the release. “Employers can minimize workplace dangers by conducting required job hazard analyses.”

BJNN sent an email to a spokesman for Remington Army Company seeking comment on the matter, but the spokesman didn’t immediately respond.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, OSHA said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com