OSHA Slams Texas Construction Firm for Scaffolding Hazards
OSHA cited Roma Construction after an inspection of the company's worksite in San Antonio found employees exposed to scaffolding hazards while applying stucco to the exterior of a home. Proposed penalties total $50,820.
OSHA has cited Roma Construction with six safety violations after an inspection of the company's worksite in San Antonio found employees exposed to scaffolding hazards while applying stucco to the exterior of a home. A July 20 inspection was conducted as part of OSHA's regional emphasis program to prevent occupational fatalities and injuries from falls, electrical hazards, and struck-by and caught-by hazards. Proposed penalties total $50,820.
"This is not the first time Roma Construction has jeopardized the safety of its employees," said Jeff Funke, OSHA's area director in San Antonio. "Exposing workers to possible falls is unacceptable and can have tragic consequences."
One serious violation was cited for failing to ensure that employees erecting, dismantling, moving, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting scaffolding were trained by a competent person to recognize the hazards associated with working on a scaffold.
Five repeat violations include failing to ensure that working levels of scaffolding were fully planked with safe means of access and egress, ensure that scaffolding was inspected by a competent person for visible defects, and protect employees from falling by providing guardrail systems or other means. OSHA cited the company in February and March of 2009 for similar violations with proposed penalties of $4,050 and $3,450, respectively.