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| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
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OSHA News Release
2004 - 06/21/2004 - OSHA Proposes $60,000 in Penalties Against Eveready Construction Co. in Houston For Alleged Safety Violations |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 6 News Release: OSHA-04-1093-DAL Monday, June 21, 2004 Contact: Diana Petterson or Elizabeth Todd Phone: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221 OSHA Proposes $60,000 in Penalties Against Eveready Construction Co. in Houston For Alleged Safety Violations HOUSTON -- A Houston construction company's alleged failure to properly train employees and follow safety standards has resulted in proposed penalties totaling $60,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA cited Eveready Construction Co., a brick laying company that employs about 15 workers, for three alleged serious and six alleged repeat violations following an inspection that began Feb. 27 as part of a local emphasis program aimed at preventing fall hazards in construction work. The inspection, which took place at a company worksite in LaMarque, Texas, found that employees working on scaffolds were not provided with adequate fall protection equipment. "Health and safety standards must be followed to save lives and prevent injuries," said Chuck Williams, director of OSHA's Houston South area office. "This company has been cited on two other occasions in the past two years for the same violations." The alleged serious violations included failing to protect employees from fall hazards, not retraining employees and not instructing them in recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions. A serious violation is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from the hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The alleged repeat violations included failing to provide guardrails on scaffolds; failing to provide employees with ladders for access; failing to properly deck the scaffolds; failing to provide personal protective equipment, in this situation hard hats; and failing to provide toeboards. OSHA issues a repeat citation when an inspection reveals a violation for which the employer had been previously cited, and where, upon re-inspection, a substantially similar violation is found. The two previous inspections in November 2002 and September 2003 for similar violations resulted in penalties totaling more than $13,000. Eveready Construction has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers and employees with questions about workplace safety and health can contact OSHA's Houston South area office at (281) 286-0583. A toll-free hotline may be used to report workplace accidents, fatalities, or situations posing imminent danger to workers. The number is 1-800-321-6742. The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted almost 40,000 inspections in fiscal year 2003, an increase of more than 2,000 over fiscal 2002 inspection levels; more than half focused on high-hazard industries. 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 |
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