Story Created: Nov 21, 2011 EST

ILION, N.Y. (WKTV) - The Remington Arms plant in the Village of Ilion has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for 35 alleged serious violations for workplace safety.

According to a statement from OSHA, the firearms manufacturer faces a total of $170,000 in proposed penalties for a variety of mechanical, electrical and chemical hazards identified during inspections by OSHA's Syracuse Area Office.

"Left uncorrected, these conditions expose the plant's workers to electrocution, falls, burns, lacerations, amputation, crushing and "struck-by" injuries, as well as exposure to hazardous substances and being caught in operating or unintentionally energized machinery," said Christopher Adams, OSHA's area director for central New York. "For the safety and health of these workers, this employer must ensure that these hazards are corrected and take effective steps to prevent their recurrence."

Specifically, OSHA stated that their inspectors found violations involving a lack of personal protective equipment; accumulations of toxic substances lead and cadmium on surfaces in the plant; food and beverages stored and consumed at cadmium-contaminated work stations; failing to provide workers with training and information on lead and cadmium; and not determining cadmium exposure levels.

The inspection also identified numerous electrical hazards and instances of unguarded moving machine parts; improper storage and transfer of flammable liquids; a lack of procedures to lock out machines' power sources to prevent their unintended startup during maintenance; unguarded openings and defective ladders; defective powered industrial trucks and untrained drivers; inadequate fire extinguisher training and availability; unlabeled permit-required confined spaces; no continuous, effective extermination program for vermin; unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals; and several exit deficiencies including a locked exit door, obstructed exit routes, unmarked exits, and non-functioning emergency and exit lighting.

A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known, OSHA stated.

"An effective illness and injury prevention program in which employers and employees work together to identify and eliminate hazards is one way of preventing initial and recurring workplace hazards such as these," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional director in New York.

The citations can be viewed online here and here.

Remington Arms Co. Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Peter Tolmei, Human Resources Manager for Remington, released the following statement in response to OSHA's press release:

"Remington is committed to providing a safe workplace for every one of its employees and is proud of its safety program, which includes comprehensive safety policies and procedures, equipment to protect our employees and safety training.

"OSHA has cited Remington for many conditions that do not violate the law and has proposed penalties which are excessive. Remington will contest the OSHA citations and request a trial, where it will have the opportunity to present evidence in support of its defenses.

"Remington also notes that none of the citations were issued because of an accident, injury or workplace illness . OSHA informed Remington that the inspection which led to these citations was a routine programmed inspection."

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Syracuse office at 315-451-0808