OSHA Fines Utica, N.Y. Area Bus Company for Safety Violations

Federal regulators fined a bus manufacturing company $116,200 for alleged safety hazards.

Orion Bus Industries Inc., of Oriskany, N.Y., which assembles and finishes passenger buses, was cited for 24 alleged violations of safety standards, said Chris Adams, area director of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The fines stem from an OSHA inspection in November 2005 following an employee complaint, he said.

The largest fine, $63,000, was assessed for service bay pits that lacked grating or guarding to prevent employees from falling into them, Adams said. The company also was fined a total of $52,200 for 20 serious violations that involved exit access, electrical, fire and forklift hazards. The remaining three violations were considered less serious and resulted in a $1,000 fine.

The company has 15 days to contest the fines. A person who answered the phone at the Oriskany plant said the company had no comment.