Construction workers face many hazards due to the nature of the job and the tools required to complete their projects. Therefore, inspectors with OSHA often spend significant time and resources conducting safety inspections of these sites — especially whenever there is an incident that results in a worker suffering serious injuries. Missouri companies are required to ensure that their employees are not at risk due to improperly prepared work sites.
After the Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted a safety inspection of a construction site in another state, the company that owns the business was fined approximately $191,200 for several repeat violations including two that were described as serious. According to the federal inspectors, the masonry and bricklayers were exposed to safety hazards from improperly erected scaffolding. In many instances, the scaffolding was not braced or secured and was missing appropriate flooring.
In addition to the faulty scaffolding construction, some of the structures were located in close proximity to power lines, which exposed the workers to the danger of electrocution. Inspectors also reported that workers lacked proper safety gear and were not protected from the dangers of falling objects. Company officials were cited for failing to train workers on safety protocols as well.
The company, DH Construction LLC, which was operating the construction site, had been fined in 2014 for similar violations and now has 14 days to appeal the findings from the inspection, which was conducted earlier this year. A representative for OSHA stated that scaffolding violations are a recurring problem and a frequent cause for violations. Missouri workers who have been injured due to a scaffolding failure or any other work-related incident are entitled to file a claim for workers compensation benefits. In the event that one encounters difficulty filing a qualifying claim, the assistance of an attorney who is well-versed in how this program works can prove to be an invaluable asset.
Source: philly.com, “Jersey construction company cited (again) by OSHA“, Jane M. Von Bergen, Oct. 17, 2017