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OSHA News Release
2006 - 04/07/2006 - OSHA Fines Texas Contractor $77,000 for Fall Hazards at Billerica, Mass., Worksite |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 06-520-BOS/BOS 2006-093 Friday, April 7, 2006 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 OSHA Fines Texas Contractor $77,000 for Fall Hazards at Billerica, Mass., Worksite
METHUEN, Mass. -- A Lewisville, Texas, framing contractor faces $77,000 in fines from the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for failing to supply fall protection for its workers at a Billerica, Mass., residential construction site. Multi Building Inc. was cited for one alleged willful and two alleged serious violations of workplace safety standards following a Dec. 8 OSHA inspection of the construction project at Villas at Old Concord, 4 Riverhurst Road in Billerica. "Employees were exposed to falls of eight to 12 feet from two work areas that lacked fall protection, such as guardrails or safety nets," said Francis Pagliuca, OSHA's area director for Middlesex and Essex counties. "This employer knew such safeguards were required, yet apparently chose not to supply them." OSHA issued one willful citation against the company for lack of fall protection and proposed a fine of $70,000, the maximum allowed under law. A willful violation is one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. Two serious citations, carrying $7,000 in fines, were issued for lack of employee training in fall protection and ladder safety as well as additional fall hazards stemming from ladder defects and employees climbing wood framing to access the second floor level. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm are likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA's Methuen area office, telephone (617) 565-8110. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. 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 releases are accessible on the Internet at 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 at (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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