OSHA Cites NY Contractor for Violations in FL
A Saratoga Springs, NY, contractor faces penalties from the Office of Safety and Health Administration for various violations that put workers at risk of injury on a Jacksonville, FL, job site. According to a press release from OSHA, the penalties could amount to $47,000 in fines.
Several of the violations were for putting employees at risk of fall injuries. With falls being the No. 1 cause of death on construction worksites, OSHA is particularly concerned when employers don’t do everything possible to prevent these tragedies.
According to the press release:
One willful violation is for allowing employees to work on elevated surfaces without fall protection. The citation carries a $35,000 penalty. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.
Eight serious violations involve exposed and protruding rebar, a lack of eye and face protection, using a welding cable that required repair, using a damaged extension cord, exposing workers to falling objects, not maintaining fire extinguishing equipment and having unprotected holes in the floor that could cause workers to trip or fall. The citations carry $12,000 in penalties. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
It isn’t clear if the violations came after a routine inspection or if one of the workers or a concerned citizen reported the job site. OSHA often doesn’t discover such problems until an accident happens and they are called in to investigate. Then, sometimes it’s too late.
In addition to investigating after an accident, the agency will respond to complaints. They often encourage workers to submit their issues to them, without fear of retribution from their employer.
According to that same press release:
OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are working with trade associations, labor unions, employers, universities, community and faith-based organizations, and consulates to provide employers and workers especially vulnerable, low-literacy workers with education and training on common-sense fall prevention equipment and strategies that save lives.
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742)…
New York, New Jersey Construction Accident Attorneys
When an employer fails to provide a safe working environment, they can be held responsible when an accident occurs. If you’ve been hurt in a construction accident, contact the New York and New Jersey construction accident attorneys with Ginarte. We can be reached at 888-GINARTE for a free consultation and some potentially helpful legal advice.
