Texas Masonry Firm Fined for Fall Protection, Repeat Hazards
OSHA began its inspection on Oct. 21 at the company's facility, which found employees working at an elevation of approximately 14 feet without wearing fall protection.
OSHA has issued citations to Joe Montalvo, doing business as Montalvo's Masonry, for three serious, one double repeat, and three single repeat violations following identification of fall hazards at the company's facility in Hurst, Texas. Proposed penalties total $54,000.
"OSHA has specific standards when employees are working on and around scaffolding," said Zachary Barnett, OSHA's area director in Fort Worth, Texas. "It is fortunate in this case that no one was injured."
OSHA's Fort Worth Area Office began its inspection on Oct. 21 at the company's facility, which found employees working at an elevation of approximately 14 feet without wearing fall protection. Serious citations allege a failure to provide guardrails to withstand 200 pounds of force, ensure planks extend far enough over the support system of the scaffold, and protect employees from exposed electrical wires on equipment cords. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The citations for repeat violations allege a failure to ensure a scaffold included a toe board, that working surfaces were fully planked, and that a competent person inspect the scaffolding. A repeat citation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
A double repeat citation was issued for an alleged failure to ensure the scaffold had a toe board. A double repeat citation is issued when an employer previously has been issued a repeat citation for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
Detailed information about fall hazards and safeguards is available on OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/construction.html.