Cannon Industries, Inc. in Rochester, New York, has agreed to pay $35,000 to two employees who accused the company of retaliating against them because they reported health and safety concerns to OSHA.

OSHA says the company fired the employees in August 2003 after they informed the company and OSHA of their concerns about the safety of certain machines and chemicals used in the workplace. The workers filed a complaint with OSHA alleging their terminations violated whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

OSHA's investigation upheld the complaint and the agency attempted to secure from the company reinstatement of the workers and back wages. When the company refused, Labor Department attorneys filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

In settling the lawsuit, the company continues to deny any wrongdoing.

The settlement bars officials of Cannon Industries from discriminating against workers who report safety and health complaints, requires company officials to post a workplace notice informing employees of the settlement, and orders company officials to remove any references to discharge or suspension from the personnel files of the two workers who were fired.