FOSTER-MILLER INC. DBA QINETIQ NORTH AMERICA

According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, FOSTER-MILLER INC. DBA QINETIQ NORTH AMERICA — a scientific research and development services facility located at 350 SECOND AVE, WALTHAM, MA 02451 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 3 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $19,000.00. The inspection case was opened on 2010-12-15.

DOL records document workplace safety violations warranting formal citation under the OSH Act. While classified at the standard enforcement level, all OSHA citations require corrective action and may indicate areas where workplace safety programs should be strengthened.

BLS Injury Data: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), this industry sector has an occupational injury rate of 0.8 per 100 full-time workers — near the national average of 2.7. The sector fatality rate is 1.1 per 100,000 workers.

Industry Benchmark: The total penalty of $19,000.00 is more than 6.0× the national average of $3,143.09 for facilities in the Professional sector (NAICS 541712). This sector encompasses 8,196 inspected facilities nationwide with aggregate penalties totaling $25.8M.

State Context: Within MA, this facility's penalty places it at the 98th percentile among 60,671 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $2,824.83.

Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 3 citations spanning 2 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 3 serious — A workplace hazard that could cause death or serious physical harm exists, and the employer knew or should have known about the condition.

Enforcement Timeline: Citations were issued beginning January 18, 2011 with the latest abatement deadline set for January 21, 2011. Of the 3 total citations, 0 (0%) have been marked as abated in DOL records, which may indicate ongoing compliance gaps requiring further regulatory attention.

Penalty Assessment: The cumulative penalty of $19,000.00 reflects OSHA's gravity-based penalty calculation methodology, which considers the severity of potential injury, the probability of occurrence, the employer's size, good faith, and violation history. The per-citation average of $6,333.33 falls within the standard penalty range.

The enforcement action against Foster-Miller Inc. underscores a fundamental breakdown in the facility’s risk assessment framework, particularly concerning the nexus between hazard identification and physical protection. The citations under 29 CFR 1910.132(a) and (d)(1) reveal a systemic failure to perform the mandatory hazard assessments required to dictate personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols