OSHA Hits Mississippi Homebuilder with 40 Violations
The citations against Lexington Homes Inc. in Lexington, Miss., allege it violated lockout/tagout, electrical, HazCom, and other safety and health standards. Penalties total $60,076.
OSHA has propsed $60,076 in fines against
Lexington Homes Inc. in Lexington, Miss., with 40 safety and health violations alleged. OSHA opened a health inspection in April under its National Emphasis Program on Recordkeeping but said it was expanded to a complete inspection of the facility after observing numerous safety violations. The company's site indicates Lexington Homes Inc. has been in business since August 2004.
The company is being cited for 32 alleged serious safety violations with $54,826 in proposed penalties for failing to install guardrails along open platforms; failing to train workers on lockout/tagout procedures regarding energy sources; failing to conduct periodic inspections of crane, crane hook and hoist chains; permitting oxygen and fuel gas cylinders to be stored together; and electrical deficiencies.
A separate health inspection revealed four serious violations with $5,250 in proposed penalties. They include hazards related to an unused opening in an electrical box that was not closed, failing to establish an effective hearing program, and failing to implement a written Hazard Communication program to address labeling and hazard training. One safety and three health other-than-serious violations carried no proposed penalties; these violations included failing to post a copy of the Appendix D standards for respirators, allowing an employee to use an unapproved respirator, and failing to post the floor load rating over the maintenance shop.
"There is no excuse for a company to disregard the safety and welfare of its workers by not following OSHA safety and health standards," said Clyde Payne, OSHA's area director in Jackson, Miss. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with the area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.