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OSHA News Release
2005 - 06/13/2005 - OSHA Fines Georgia-based Construction Company $242,500 for Workplace Safety and Health Violations in Chillicothe, Ohio |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 5 News Release: 05-986-Chi Date: June 13, 2005 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: 312-353-6976 OSHA Fines Georgia-based Construction Company $242,500 for Workplace Safety and Health Violations in Chillicothe, Ohio
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced citations against European Craft Construction of Buford, Ga., and its owner, Ioan Tampa, for workplace safety violations following a November 2004 inspection at a Chillicothe, Ohio, jobsite. Proposed penalties total $242,500. The most recent inspection marks the 16th time since June 1999 that Tampa's worksites have drawn OSHA scrutiny. Outstanding proposed penalties, some being contested, and final determinations or settlements total over $600,000. The penalties resulted from cases in Indiana, Ohio, and Georgia. "Strong enforcement is a key part of OSHA's efforts to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses," said OSHA Area Director Richard Gilgrist, Cincinnati. "The significant penalty of $242,500 in this case demonstrates our commitment to protect the health and safety of America's workers." An OSHA compliance officer observed unsafe conditions at a work site in Chillicothe where employees were seen working from platforms without fall protection. OSHA opened a formal inspection based on a local emphasis program to promote protection from falls. OSHA alleged five serious, five willful and one repeat violations of workplace safety standards. Willful violations were issued for unsafe scaffolding and lack of fall protection from falls of up to 25 feet. Alleged serious violations involved electrical hazards, and the repeat citation was issued for failing to provide personal protective equipment and lack of toe boards or overhead protection on the scaffolds. Willful violations are those committed with an intentional disregard or plain indifference to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. Repeat violations are those in which similar violations have been cited in the past and the citations have become a final order. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. 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 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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