New York Developer Exposes Workers to Lead and Fall Hazards
Upon receiving complaints about the working conditions of a demolition site, OSHA investigators found $44,000 worth of violations.
In Buffalo, New York, a real estate development company is facing $44,000 worth of fines for lead exposure and fall hazards. Ellicott Development Co. was inspected by OSHA in December after a complaint was filed.
Upon investigation, OSHA confirmed that employees working on a demolition site were exposed to lead while tearing down walls painted with lead paint. There was no protective equipment provided for the workers.
In addition to lead exposure, workers were exposed to falls of 15 feet without guards at the edge of the roof.
"This employer failed to take the basic steps necessary to protect workers against a potentially significant health hazard," said Arthur Dube, OSHA's area director in Buffalo, in a statement on OSHA’s website. "Exposure to lead can damage the blood-forming, nervous, urinary and reproductive systems. Even short-term exposure can have consequences. Ellicott Development must ensure that the proper safeguards are in place, in use and effective at this and all its job sites where workers may be exposed to lead."