A year ago in May, Bob Nardelli’s Freedom Group shuttered Marlin’s New Haven factory and moved production to its Remington plant in Ilion, New York. TTAG heard tell that three Marlin factory workers made the move. In any case, the result was a whole lot less than impressive. If it were opposite day, I’d say the quality of Marlin firearms went through the roof. Suffice it to say our brand new Marlin 1894c broke in half before firing a shot and its twin had its own set of QC “issues.” Subsequently, Marlin shut down production on most of its lineup. Now comes news that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has whacked the Ilion plant with $170k in fines. Specifically . . .
OSHA cited Remington Arms for 35 violations. The Observer-Dispatch of Utica reports that the transgression involve mechanical, electrical and chemical hazards at the firearms manufacturing plant. According to the Agency’s main man, this isn’t a case of federal regulatory nitpicking:
If the violations are left uncorrected, the conditions expose the plant’s workers to electrocution, falls, burns, lacerations, amputations, crushing, struck-by injuries, exposure to hazardous substances and being caught in machinery that is operating or unintentionally energized, said Christopher Adams, OHSA’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,” Adams said.
Remington has 15 days to sort this out. The clock is ticking on Marlin’s rep as well. Just sayin’ . . .
