New Jersey Construction Company Disputes OSHA Fall-Prevention Violations
A construction company operating a Jersey City work site is facing multiple violations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA alleges the company didn’t do enough to prevent workers from falling off scaffolding. The company, however, says this simply isn’t true.
According to EHS Today, OSHA initiated an investigation on Blade Contracting when a worker was injured after falling from a balcony while trying to access a suspension scaffold. Among other things, Blade Contracting is faced with violations for the “alleged use of makeshift devices on top of scaffolds to increase the level height for working and a failure to protect workers on scaffolds from fall hazards.” EHS Today reports:
“Fall hazards are a leading cause of death in the construction industry, and therefore it is critical that employers provide workers with proper fall protection,” said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA’s Parsippany (N.J.) Area Office. “Employers are responsible for ensuring safe and healthful workplaces, and will be held legally accountable when they fail to do so.”
Blade Contracting contends, however, that the incident was not due to inadequate safety protections at the site.
“OSHA is issuing citations that resulted from employee misconduct,” Joseph W. Rufolo, president of JW Rufolo and Associates, told EHS Today on behalf of Blade Contracting. “Specifically with reference to the fall accident, Blade provided safe ladders for employees to use to climb onto a scaffold. An employee climbed over some guardrails onto a balcony to climb onto the scaffold and then fell. That employee did not use the ladder that was provided and was trying to take a shortcut, which resulted in his accident.”
OSHA also issued Blade Contracting, which is based in Staten Island, N.Y., with two repeat violations involving unprotected workers on scaffolds and a sixth floor balcony. An additional four serious violations were issued for allegedly failing to: install cross bracing on the entire scaffold; ensure personal fall arrest systems were attached to a secure anchorage point and not scaffold guard rails; train workers to recognize and avoid hazards including falls; and ensure proper step ladder use.
Everyone has a responsibility for safety on a construction work site. But when the right equipment isn’t provided or employees are encouraged to take shortcuts, much of that responsibility lies with the employer.
How Ginarte Can Help
The New Jersey construction accident attorneys of the Ginarte Law Firm understand that not every construction accident is the same — you can’t always be certain who is to blame. But, we also know that often it’s a combination of carelessness from the employer, supervisors, and even coworkers that put you at a greater risk. When an accident happens, we can be there to help you hold someone responsible.
Whether you broke a bone or suffered a head injury, the results of a construction accident can change your life. Contact us today to talk about your legal options. We can be reached at 888-GINARTE.
