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OSHA News Release
2005 - 07/11/2005 - OSHA Cites Testa Corp. Following Fatal Craneway Collapse at Former Fore River Shipyard |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 1 News Release: 05-1133-BOS/BOS 2005-188 Monday, July 11, 2005 Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Phone: (617) 565-2074 OSHA Cites Testa Corp. Following Fatal Craneway Collapse at Former Fore River Shipyard
BRAINTREE, Mass. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Testa Corp., a Lynnfield, Mass., demolition contractor, for 15 alleged violations of safety and health standards following the collapse of a craneway at the former Fore River Shipyard in Braintree, Mass. Proposed penalties total $60,400. Testa Corp. was the general contractor for the demolition of the 190-foot tall steel craneway superstructure. On Jan. 26, two workers were killed and several others injured when the craneway collapsed onto an adjacent building from which workers were removing asbestos. OSHA's inspection found that Testa Corp. did not do an engineering survey to determine the craneway's stability before allowing employees to work in the adjacent building. An engineering survey would have shown that several of the steel craneway's members had been cut through by torches and cross-bracing supports had been removed, leaving the structure overstressed. Workers were also allowed into the building before the craneway had been properly braced or otherwise secured against collapse. "Had proper procedures been followed and required safeguards adhered to, this fatal accident could have been avoided," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. OSHA's inspection also identified several health hazards to workers exposed to airborne concentrations of lead while torch-cutting lead-coated steel. These included failing to monitor for lead exposure; several respirator hazards; lack of protective clothing and clean change areas; no training in lead hazards; lack of a written lead compliance program, and lack of appropriate handwashing facilities. The last item was classified as a repeat violation since the company had been cited for the same type of hazard in December 2004 at a Boston jobsite. All other citations were classified as serious. OSHA issues a repeat citation when an employer has previously been cited for a substantially similar hazard and that citation has become final. A serious violation is issued for a condition where there is a substantial possibility that death or serious physical harm can result to an employee. Testa Corp. has 15 working days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply with them, request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. OSHA's Braintree area office, which conducted the inspection, can be reached at (617) 565-6924. 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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