Region 2 News Release:   USDL-OSHA-00-143-11-22
Thurs., Oct. 12, 2000
Contact: Diana Petterson
PHONE: (214) 767-4776, ext. 222

OSHA PROPOSES A $66,000 PENALTY AGAINST McCORMICK PAINTING CO. OF LITTLE ROCK, ARK., FOR SCAFFOLDING FATALITY IN CROCKETT, TEXAS

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations with proposed penalties totaling $66,000 to McCormick Painting Co., Little Rock, Ark., for exposing employees to fall hazards that resulted in the death or an employee and serious injuries to another employee.

The OSHA investigation began May 31 when the McCormick employees were working inside an elevated water storage tower from a multipoint suspension scaffold when the accident occurred in Crockett, Texas. OSHA cited the company, a sandblasting and painting contractor, with a total of 12 alleged violations, four of which are repeat violations.

OSHA cited the company with four repeat violations for failing to instruct workers regarding the hazards; provide a proper lifeline size; design and construct a scaffold by a qualified person and provide guardrails or implement a fall protection system. The total proposed penalties for the repeat violations totaled $36,600. A repeat violation is defined as one in which the employer has been cited previously for a substantially similar condition.

OSHA also cited the company with eight serious violations for failing to conduct regular inspections of equipment; provide an adequate emergency response or rescue equipment; secure the scaffold and properly train employees. The total proposed penalties for the serious violations totaled $32,400. A serious violation is defined as one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal hearing with the Houston area director, or to contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.