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SAFETY / OSHA - 11/5/08

OSHA proposes $55,600 in fines against Marshfield, Mass., contractor following employee fall at Pembroke, Mass., jobsite

OSHA has cited a Marshfield, Massachusetts, steel erection contractor for a total of 14 alleged willful and serious violations of safety standards after an employee fell 20-feet at a Pembroke, Massachusetts, jobsite on June 12. Brian Barnes, doing business as Barco Metal Fabrication, faces a total of $55,600 in proposed fines following an OSHA inspection opened the day of the accident.

OSHA's inspection found employees at the 130 Corporate Park Drive jobsite performing steel erection work at heights of 20-feet without effective fall protection. OSHA's steel erection standard requires that an effective form of fall protection, such as safety belts and lanyards, guardrails or safety nets, be in place and in use.

In this case, the absence of such safeguards resulted in OSHA issuing Barco one willful citation, with a proposed fine of $28,000. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to, or intentional disregard for, employee safety and health.

"Employees are just one step away from possible death or disabling injuries when fall protection is lacking," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director in Braintree. "While no death resulted from this fall, there is no excuse for an employer, particularly one who knows what's required, not to supply and ensure the use of this vital safeguard at all times."

The inspection also identified a variety of other fall, steel erection and impalement hazards. These included: an improperly anchored and rigged harness and lifeline; lack of training in how to operate and recognize hazards associated with aerial lifts; lack of ladder safety training; inadequate ladder access; inadequately braced steel joists; beginning steel erection without receiving written notification that concrete and masonry mortar was of sufficient strength to support loads; removing anchor bolts without a structural engineer's approval; unguarded rebar; damaged welding leads; and failure to have a competent person conduct frequent and regular jobsite inspections to identify hazards. These conditions resulted in the issuance of 13 serious citations, carrying $27,600 in fines. 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.

Barco has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to meet with OSHA or to contest them to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Braintree Area Office; telephone 617-565-6924.

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