Bystanders Turn Contractors in to OSHA

Oct. 25, 2004
OSHA has issued citations to six contractors for allegedly failing to provide adequate fall protection for workers at a Denton, Texas, apartment construction site.

OSHA's Fort Worth area office began its investigation May 3 at the Timberlink at Denton after receiving word from bystanders that workers were exposed to fall hazards.

General contractor Lindsey Construction Co. Inc. of Fayetteville, Ark., was issued citations and proposed penalties totaling $81,900. Alleged serious violations included failing to ensure that workers operating rough terrain forklifts were trained, failing to train workers on the hazards of falls from roofs and unguarded balconies and failing to properly erect and maintain scaffolds. Alleged repeat violations were for failing to provide hard hats for workers and failing to protect workers from fall hazards.

Wayne Baldwin Construction, the framing subcontractor based in Russellville, Ark., was cited for two alleged repeat violations for failing to train and provide fall protection for workers exposed to falls from roofs. Proposed penalties total $14,000. For similar alleged violations, stucco contractor Silver Star Plastering of Garland, Texas, was issued serious citations with $5,000 in proposed penalties.

For failing to train and provide fall protection for workers exposed to falls from unguarded balconies, OSHA cited Carrollton, Texas-based tile subcontractor Angel David Silva with two alleged serious violations that carry proposed penalties of $3,000.

Masonry subcontractor Martin Munoz of Dallas was issued citations and proposed penalties of $34,250 for 14 alleged serious violations. These included failure to ensure that workers operating rough terrain forklifts were trained, not providing hard hats, not training and providing fall protection for workers exposed to falls from unguarded balconies, and failure to ensure that scaffolds were property erected and maintained.

Alfredo Salazar, also a masonry subcontractor based in Garland, Texas, was issued citations and proposed penalties totaling $13,050 for nine alleged serious violations for failing to properly erect and maintain scaffolds.

"The significant penalty of $151,200 in this case demonstrates our commitment to protecting the health and safety of American workers," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

The contractors have 15 working days from the receipt of the citations to comply, to request an informal conference with the area director or to contest the penalties and citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!