U.S. Department of Labor | ||||||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
OSHA News Release
2005 - 10/03/2005 - OSHA Cites Birmingham Contractors for Exposing Workers to Safety Hazards at Jefferson County Job Site |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
Region 4 News Release Release Number: 05-1803-ATL (257) Date: Monday, October 03, 2005 Contact: Roberto Sanchez Jo Anne Burgoyne Phone: (205) 731-1534 (404) 562-2076 OSHA Cites Birmingham Contractors for Exposing Workers to Safety Hazards at Jefferson County Job Site
Hazards at Jefferson County Job Site BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Rivera Framing and Lifescape Builders for exposing workers to fall hazards from unsafe scaffolding at a Vestavia Hills, Ala., job site. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $142,600. "In the Southeast, lack of fall protection is a leading cause of injuries and deaths, particularly among Hispanic construction workers," said Roberto Sanchez, OSHA's Birmingham area director. "We are committed to reducing these tragic accidents." OSHA issued seven repeat citations, with proposed penalties of $108,400, against Rivera Framing for failure to: train employees to recognize and avoid fall hazards; provide employees with fall protection when they work on 10-foot-high scaffolds, and provide workers eye protection when they use nail guns. Improper use of ladders was also cited as repeat. Six additional serious citations, with proposed penalties of $22,800, were issued against the company for exposing employees to falls from improperly erected, defective scaffolds and damaged ladders. General contractor, Lifescape Builders, received six serious citations, with proposed penalties of $11,400, for lack of a safety program; failing to provide workers with fall protection, and allowing debris to accumulate at the site. Calera-based Rivera Framing and Vestavia Hills-based Lifescape Builders have 15 days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The Birmingham OSHA, which conducted the inspection, is located at 950 22nd St. N., Suite 1050; phone: (205) 731-1534. 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 additional information about fall protection and safe scaffolds visit OSHA's Web site at www.osha.gov. ###
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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