U.S. Department of Labor Cites Fort Worth Masonry Company for Exposing Workers to Fall Hazards
RM Masonry and Stucco exposes workers to unsecured scaffolding repeatedly.
- By Shereen Hashem
- Sep 27, 2021
A Fort Worth masonry company continues to put its workers at risk for falls – the leading cause of death and serious injury in the construction industry – by ignoring workplace safety regulations, a recent federal inspection at a Denton work site found.
A March 2021 inspection initiated as part of a U.S. Department of Labor OSHA Regional Emphasis Program for falls in the construction industry found RM Masonry and Stucco Inc. once again exposing workers to falls and silica hazards. OSHA cited the company for similar violations in 2018 and 2019.
OSHA cited the company for nine repeat and six serious violations, including failing to ensure that scaffolding was properly planked and secured, providing a ladder for safe egress and inspecting scaffolding. OSHA has proposed penalties totaling $216,265.
"RM Masonry and Stucco has shown repeated disregard for worker safety," said OSHA Area Director Timothy Minor in Fort Worth, Texas. "Employers should never put profits before the safety of their workers. OSHA will do everything in its power to protect workers and hold serial violators like this accountable."
RM Masonry and Stucco Inc. is a privately-owned construction company with approximately 40 employees.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent OSHRC.
Learn more about preventing falls in construction here.
About the Author
Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.