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OSHA News Release
2008 - 02/04/2008 - Scaffolding hazards at North Richland Hills, Texas, worksite bring fines totaling $210,000 from U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 6 News Release: 08-140-DAL Feb. 4, 2008 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: 214-767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 Scaffolding hazards at North Richland Hills, Texas, worksite bring fines totaling $210,000 from U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA
Metroplex Masonry Inc. headquarters located in Kaufman, Texas NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas -- An alleged failure to protect employees from safety hazards has brought Kaufman, Texas-based Metroplex Masonry Inc. $210,000 in proposed penalties from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Metroplex Masonry was cited for four serious and seven repeat safety violations following an inspection that began Aug. 8, 2007, at the company's worksite in North Richland Hills. The company, which provides masonry services, has about 100 employees, 40 of whom were working at this site. "The OSHA inspection revealed that the company did not take appropriate action to protect its employees from serious injury," said Dean McDaniel, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "Employers must remain committed to keeping the workplace safe and healthful at all times." The serious violations include failure to provide scaffold working platforms of sufficient width, to remove and replace damaged scaffold components, and to provide fall protection at the ends of scaffold platforms. A serious violation exists when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. Repeat violations are for failure to provide fall protection on balconies, to fully plant scaffold working platforms, to provide safe access to scaffold platforms and to provide adequate protection from falling objects. Repeat violations are issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a substantially similar violation that has become a final order. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Fort Worth, Texas, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers and employees with questions about workplace safety and health may contact OSHA's Fort Worth Area Office at 817-428-2470. A toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742 may be used to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to employees. OSHA operates a vigorous enforcement program, conducting more than 39,000 inspections in fiscal year 2007 and exceeding its inspection goals in each of the last eight years. In fiscal year 2007, OSHA found nearly 89,000 violations of its standards and regulations. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # #
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department 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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