Businesses with high injury rates receive letters

The U.S. Department of Labor sent letters to 21 north country businesses that were among 15,000 workplaces with the highest occupational injury and illness rates that resulted in days away from work, restricted work activities or job transfers in 2008.

For every 100 full-time workers, the 15,000 employers had 4.5 or more such injuries or illnesses. The national average is 2. The letters encourage the businesses to remove hazards and hire outside safety and health consultants or use OSHA's consultation program, but are not citations.

The north country businesses are Losurdo Foods Inc., Heuvelton; Home Depot Store 6174, Watertown; Lowe's Home Center 2401, Ogdensburg; Coorstek Armor Solutions Inc., Ogdensburg; LCO Destiny LLC, Watertown; Country Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Carthage; Omega QSE Inc., Watertown; Atlas Health Care Linen Services, Watertown; Fabco, Watertown.

Also, Car-Freshner Corp., Watertown; Chapin Watermatics, Watertown; Jefferson Concrete Corp., Watertown; Stature Electric Inc., Watertown; Great Lakes Cheese of N.Y., Adams; Renzi Bros. Inc., Watertown; St. Regis Nursing Home, Massena; Highland Nursing Home Inc., Massena; Samaritan Keep Home, Watertown; HCA Genesis Inc., Watertown; Potters Industries Inc., Potsdam, and United Helpers Nursing Home, Ogdensburg.

ON THE NET

Occupational Safety & Health Administration: www.osha.gov