Region 4 News Release: 09-285-ATL (078)
March 26, 2009
Contact: Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2078

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA cites contractor for safety violations following fatality at Mississippi Power's Plant Daniel

JACKSON, Miss. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited LandCoast Insulation Inc. for three alleged safety violations following six injuries and one employee fatality last November when a scaffold collapsed inside a boiler at Mississippi Power's Plant Daniel in Moss Point.

OSHA is issuing one willful violation with a $63,000 proposed penalty for substituting weaker, horizontal scaffold components in 14 locations. The agency defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

Two serious citations are being issued with $9,000 in proposed penalties for the company's use of damaged scaffold components in the construction process and for failing to provide employees with effective training. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.

"LandCoast Insulation's substitution of weaker parts directly led to the structure's collapse and one worker's death," said Clyde Payne, OSHA's area director in Jackson. "This worker died and others were injured because the company improperly constructed the scaffold."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Jackson or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Jackson Area Office, 3780 I-55 North, Suite 210, telephone 601-965-4606.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

###

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department 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.