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OSHA News Release
2005 - 06/06/2005 - OSHA Cites Florida Company Following Fatal Scaffolding Accident at Augusta, Ga., Plant |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 4 News Release Release Number: 05-507-ATL (114) Date: Monday, June 06, 2005 Contact: Gei-Thae Breezley Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: (770) 493-6644 (404) 562-2076 OSHA Cites Florida Company Following Fatal Scaffolding Accident at Augusta, Ga., Plant
Agency Proposes Penalties Totaling $78,000 ATLANTA -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Bartow, Fla.-based Atlantic Scaffolding Inc. following investigation of a fatal accident at an International Paper Company facility in Augusta, Ga. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $78,000. The accident occurred Dec. 12 as Atlantic Scaffolding employees were dismantling a 14-level, 100-foot high scaffold erected inside a boiler. Crew members were allegedly removing planks at the fourth level when one employee, reaching out to receive a plank from another employee, stepped into an opening and fell 21 feet to the bottom of the boiler. "If the safety harnesses worn by these workers had been properly attached to a lifeline, this tragic accident would have been prevented," said Gei Thae Breezley, OSHA's Atlanta-East area director. "Two years ago, this company had a similar accident and knew the hazards involved in not tying off." OSHA issued one willful citation, with a proposed maximum penalty of $70,000, for failing to provide employees with proper fall arrest systems. A willful citation is issued when an employer has shown an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. The company received two serious citations, with proposed penalties totaling $3,000, for failing to train employees on fall protection, including recognizing and reducing scaffolding hazards, and failing to have guard rails on scaffolding stairways. Additionally, the company received a proposed penalty of $5,000 for failing to notify OSHA of a fatal accident within the required eight-hour period. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Atlanta-East area office located at LaVista Perimeter Office Park, Bldg. 7, Suite 110, Tucker, Ga.; phone: (770) 493-6644. 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 (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 regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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