OSHA Cites 2 Contractor Companies for Different Work Safety Violations

OSHA has cited American Building LLC, a steel-erection contractor, for work-safety violations that resulted in the accidental fall and death of one of its workers at a construction site in Stamford, Cincinnati.

The fatal accident happened last Oct. 25, 2011 during the installation of metal roofing onto a prefab building. The victim fell 35 feet to the ground.

OSHA courses, such as OSHA 10 training and OSHA 30 course (both online OSHA training), are now required by many employers; they provide excellent orientation on the essential protocols to follow to steer workers out of harm’s way.

OSHA’s investigation revealed that workers not only were not properly trained to identify and avoid fall dangers but also did not have fall protection. The work-safety watchdog discovered that the victim’s safety harness—as were those of two other workers—was not tied to anchorage points, which would have broken the fall.

"Inadequate and ineffective fall protection can be as dangerous and deadly as no fall protection at all," observed Robert Kowalski, OSHA area director in Bridgeport, Cinn. "This employer was well aware that these workers were exposed to falls but did not take steps to eliminate a significant hazard. A combination of proper fall protection and effective training could have prevented this needless loss of life."

Following the investigation, American Building received one serious violation for the lack of training and one willful violation for the lack of fall protection, with total proposed penalties totaling $51,700.

OSHA has also cited Massachusetts-based American Biltrite Inc. for work-safety and health violations that have resulted in the death of one of its employees. The victim, according to a subsequent OSHA investigation, was crushed in a coating machine while trying to fix a jammed equipment. OSHA pointed to the company’s failure to use "lockout/tagout" procedures before letting the worker work within the machine's danger area as the violation that led to the victim’s death. OSHA proposed penalties totaling $51,300.

The company actually committed several serious violations and one repeat violation. The serious violations included: failure to put in place a lockout/tagout program for the equipment power sources; failure to provide adequate working area around electrical equipment; and failure to ensure that equipment guards were in place to prevent workers from coming into contact with moving parts.

The repeat violation involved allowing Class I flammable liquids to be decanted into containers without electrical continuity between the container and the nozzle, which elevates the risk of ignition. American Biltrite was cited for the same violation in 2010.

"This company continues to compromise the safety of its workers by disregarding OSHA's safety and health standards," lamented Paula Dixon-Roderick, director of the OSHA Marlton Area office. "Employers are responsible for ensuring safe and healthful workplaces, and will be held legally accountable when they fail to do so."