News from New York State Department of Labor

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NYS Labor Commissioner Suspends Fireworks Company’s License

July 4 Ever, Inc. repeatedly cited for improper storage of explosives

ALBANY, NY (08/06/2007; 1527)(readMedia)-- State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith has suspended all licenses and permits of July 4 Ever, Inc., located at 328 Rock Cut Road in Walden, New York, for repeated safety violations and use of substandard storage equipment for its fireworks and explosives. The suspension became effective on August 1, 2007.

“July 4 Ever’s repeated violation of state law involving the proper storage of fireworks and its blatant disregard for the public’s safety will not be tolerated,” said Commissioner Smith. “We have suspended the company’s licenses and permits and secured all of the fireworks to ensure that the public is protected.”

Previously, July 4 Ever had its license and permits revoked based upon an inspection conducted in August 2006 that found more than 57,000 pounds of fireworks illegally stored in five tractor-trailers on the company’s property. The contents of the five trailers were seized by Department of Labor inspectors and placed in the custody of the State Police. The company appealed the revocation to the Department of Labor’s Industrial Board of Appeals and continued to do business while the matter is under review.

Department of Labor inspectors returned in July 2007 and found more than 500,000 pounds of explosives on July 4 Ever’s property. Some of the explosives were illegally stored in one trailer that was not properly constructed or certified as an explosive storage container. Explosives were also found stored on the ground in the open. The resale value of the more than 500,000 pounds of explosives is estimated to be in the millions of dollars. All explosives on the site are now stored in properly constructed containers and are under the control of the Department of Labor and the State Police. Issued under the commissioner’s emergency authority, the suspension of the company’s license and permits will remain in effect pending the conclusion of the Industrial Board of Appeals review.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also conducting its own investigation.

The State Labor Commissioner has emergency authority to suspend all licenses and permits involving the illegal storage of fireworks and explosives. The Department of Labor issues licenses and permits necessary to own, possess, transport, deal in and manufacture explosives. For further information, visit the agency’s web site at www.labor.state.ny.us.

Attachments

Fireworks illegally stored in trailer on July 4 Ever property in July 2007

Fireworks illegally stored on ground on July 4 Ever property in July 2007