OR-OSHA Cites Company for the Seventh Time
Bravo's Construction Services of Woodburn, Ore., has been cited by the state program for the seventh time since February 2013.
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division, known as Oregon OSHA, announced it has fined Bravo's Construction Services of Woodburn, Ore., $72,825 "for repeatedly not protecting its employees from falls." The agency reported this is the seventh citation against this company since February 2013. The fine was issued after an inspection on Oct. 9, 2013, in Portland, because an employee was exposed to a fall of more than 20 feet.
The inspection also produced citations for alleged inadequate scaffold design, not ensuring employees wore safety glasses, and not holding safety committee meetings; the latter two issues were repeat violations.
"Unpaid fines against Bravo's Construction now total $166,161.62, with $15,416.62 past due," according to OR-OSHA. "Because of the company's continued negligence in providing a safe environment for employees, Oregon OSHA is referring the matter to the state Construction Contractors Board."
"Most employers meet their obligations under our rules," said Oregon OSHA Administrator Michael Wood. "Even for those who need to be reminded, it is rare that we continue to have this level of a problem. When we do, we will issue substantial penalties against employers and refer them to CCB, which may make it legally impossible to do business in the state."
According to OR-OSHA, one of the most progressive state plans in the United States, the CCB suspended the company's license on Jan. 3, 2014, after it failed to pay a $1,000 penalty issued in July. "CCB takes allegations of violations affecting employee safety very seriously," said Craig P Smith, CCB's administrator. "In addition to imposing civil penalties and license suspensions, CCB routinely works closely with other state agencies, including Oregon OSHA and the Department of Justice, to hold contractors accountable and prevent willful violations of the law that affect public safety."
More details can be found at orosha.org/subjects/fall_protection.html.