OSHA Cites NJ Contractor with Fall Hazard Violations
In April, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a fall prevention campaign aimed at keeping workers safe from fall accidents. Since then, they’ve been pushing fall prevention through their official website and other sources.
This week, however, they cited a Bloomfield, N.J. construction contractor for fall hazards, proof that not everyone is taking proper precautions.
From a press release posted on the OSHA website:
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Allied Brothers Construction Inc. of Bloomfield, N.J., for alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards at a Montebello, N.Y., work site. The contractor faces a total of $89,100 in proposed fines. OSHA’s Tarrytown Area Office opened an inspection of the residential construction site on Ryan Mansion Drive in February after receiving reports of fall hazards.
“What we found at this work site were hazards unacceptably similar to those cited during prior inspections at the employer’s other sites,” said Diana Cortez, OSHA’s area director in Tarrytown. “It’s clear that this employer must take effective action to enhance worker safety and eliminate such potentially deadly hazards at all of its work sites.”
OSHA found employees exposed to falls of up to 13 feet while working without protection atop roofs, and while accessing and exiting roofs using ladders that did not extend at least 3 feet above the landing for proper stability. Allied Brothers Construction also allowed its employees to work without first receiving necessary training to recognize and avoid such hazards. Between 2007 and 2012, OSHA cited this company for similar hazards at work sites in New Milford, Oradell, Patterson, Rutherford and Upper Saddle River, N.J. As a result, OSHA has issued citations in the current case with $79,200 in proposed fines for four repeat violations. A repeat violation exists when an employer has been cited previously for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility within the last five years.
OSHA also has issued citations with $9,900 in fines for three serious violations involving an improperly rigged fall arrest system, an unguarded belt and pulley on a compressor, and the use of a defective ladder. 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.
Often we see OSHA investigating job sites after an accident. But sometimes they are alerted to problems before an accident occurs and are able to potentially prevent tragedy.
Fall Accidents and Ginarte Attorneys
Having represented numerous clients in the New York and New Jersey areas, we know what a problem falls are on construction sites. Whether you are working above the ground on a scaffold or are working around holes, the risk of falling is great, and these accidents are often very tragic.
If you’ve fallen on the job and suffered injuries as a result, we may be able to help. Contact the New Jersey / NY construction accident attorneys with Ginarte for a free consultation today. Call us at (888) GINARTE, or fill out our online contact form.
