U.S. Department of Labor | ||||||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
OSHA News Release
2004 - 03/24/2004 - Ohio Company Fined $122,300 for Failing To Protect Workers Who Use Scaffolding and Ladders |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
Region 5 News Release 04-354-CHI March 24, 2004 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: (312) 353-6976 Ohio Company Fined $122,300 for Failing To Protect Workers Who Use Scaffolding and Ladders
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Warren Guillard Bricklayers, Inc., of Tallmadge, Ohio, for repeatedly failing to protect workers against falling from scaffolding and ladders. "To ensure that injury and illness rates continue to decline, we must make sure that employers protect employees from workplace hazards, " said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The significant penalty of $122,300 in this case demonstrates this Administration's commitment to protecting the health and safety of American workers." The fine and OSHA citations follow an inspection initiated in September after a worker at an Oakwood, Ohio, worksite fell about 20 feet when the fiberglass ladder he had been climbing split in half. The worker survived the fall, but sustained serious injuries and is currently wheelchair bound. The company employs approximately 45 workers and has been inspected 42 times at various job sites since its inception in 1969. Since 1974, there have been 44 scaffolding deficiencies cited, with the two most recent inspections revealing a continuing pattern of serious fall protection hazards. The proposed citations and penalties announced today include two categorized as willful, two serious and one repeat. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. In fiscal year 2003, OSHA conducted almost 40,000 inspections, an increase of more than 2000 inspections over 2002 levels; more than half focused on high-hazard industries. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses and protecting the health and safety of America's workers. # # #
U.S. Labor Department 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 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 http://www.dol.gov/compliance. |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
Back to Top | www.osha.gov | www.dol.gov |
Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers |
||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 |