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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2004 - 09/07/2004 - OSHA Cites Brunswick Contractor for Scaffolding Hazards |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 4 News Release Release Number: 04-1551-ATL (196) Date: Sept. 7, 2004 Contact: Kurt Petermeyer Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: (912) 652-4393 (404) 562-2076 OSHA Cites Brunswick Contractor for Scaffolding Hazards
Agency Proposes $98,000 in Penalties SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Padgett Tabby & Stucco Inc. after finding the company allegedly used unsafe scaffolding at a Brunswick construction site. The agency is proposing total penalties of $98,000 against the company. "This inspection was conducted under a special emphasis program to reduce fall hazards in the construction industry, a leading cause of worker deaths and injuries," said John Deifer, OSHA's Savannah area director. "Since Oct. 1, 2003, OSHA's southeastern region has investigated 59 fall fatalities. Employers must assure that employees are protected by recognizing and reducing fall hazards." Company employees were reportedly working on 21-foot-high scaffolding, installing siding and applying stucco to the exterior of a building located on Golden Isle Plaza, when OSHA began its inspection March 15. The company received three repeat citations, with proposed penalties of $90,000, for failing to fully plank scaffold platforms and provide guardrails, a ladder, or other safe means to access and exit the scaffolding. Padgett has been cited four times within the past three years for similar conditions and the citations have become final orders of the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The agency also issued two serious citations, with proposed penalties of $8,000, for failing to have a competent person train workers in the proper methods for erecting, disassembling and moving scaffolding, and for allowing employees to work on unsafe scaffolding that lacked cross-bracing necessary to prevent the structure from collapsing. OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. Padgett Tabby & Stucco have 15 working days to contest the latest OSHA citations and proposed penalties before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The work site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Savannah area office located at 450 Mall Boulevard, Suite J; phone: (912) 652-4393. The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted almost 40,000 inspections in fiscal year (FY) 2003, an increase of more than 2,000 over (FY) 2002 inspection levels; more than half focused on high-hazard industries. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ###
U.S. Labor Department (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at <http://www.dol.gov>. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulat5ions. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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