Burgos Construction Corporation Cited for Serious Safety Violations
The company has been cited seven times in the past two years for failing to provide fall protection to its employees, according to OSHA's Tampa area director.
After an inspection by OSHA, Burgos Construction Corp. has been cited for four willful, one repeat and two serious safety violations according to a, OSHA news release. These citations stem from OSHA inspectors observing employees working on residential construction areas without using a fall protection system at sites in Lithia, Tampa, Riverview, and Land O'Lakes. The proposed penalties from these citations amount to $228,690.
According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal work injuries in Florida accounted for 218 of the 4,628 fatal work injuries reported in 2012.
"Burgos Construction has been cited seven times in the past two years for not providing fall protection for its employees engaged in residential construction," said Les Grove, OSHA's area director from Tampa in the statement. "Company officials are fully aware of the fall protection requirements. Allowing workers exposure to a fatal fall or serious injury demonstrates the employer’s lack of commitment to worker safety."
The willful violations were cited due to the employer failing to provide fall protection systems to workers at each of the four job sites where they installed floor joists and conducted framing and roofing work at heights ranging from 9 to 28 feet. OSHA requires a fall protection system when residential activities are 6 feet or greater. The willful violations carry penalties of $215,600. The employer was also cited for $6,930 in serious violations for failing to provide fall protection training for workers and for allowing employees access to a second floor stairwell that was not protected by handrails on both sides.
Established in 2012, Burgos Construction has been inspected by OSHA eight times within the past two years. The company has received multiple citations for both repeat and serious violations of the construction standards. The company specializes in wood framing and other carpentry in residential structures.