Construction Contractors Cited by OSHA for Exposing Workers to Fall Hazards
Both Arthur Funk & Sons Inc. and Weaver Construction and Roofing Inc. were assessed willful violation by OSHA.
After an OSHA compliance officer observed workers failing to use fall protection while being exposed to 13-foot falls, an investigation has resulted in willful violations for Arthur Funk & Sons Inc. of Lebanon, Pa., as well as its subcontractor Weaver Construction and Roofing Inc., of East Earl, Pa., for an unprotected fall hazard of 10 to 13 feet.
Arthur Funk was assessed $42,350 in fines and Weaver Construction, which was also cited for two serious violations for scaffolding hazards, was assessed $49,600 in fines, according to OSHA.
"Arthur Funk was recently cited for fall hazards at this same work site, and Weaver Construction was cited for fall protection hazards three years ago. These companies are fully aware that fall protection is critical to saving lives, yet they continue to expose their employees to hazards that can lead to serious injury or death," said Kevin Kilp, OSHA's area director in Harrisburg. "Falls can be prevented and lives can be saved by planning ahead to get the job done safely, providing the right equipment, and training everyone to use the equipment safely."
In another case, OSHA has issued $84,600 in proposed fines to Brooklyn, N.Y.-based J&M Metro General Contracting Corp. after an employee named Vidal Sanchez, 51, fell to his death at a Brooklyn work site on April 1, 2015. When he fell, he was raking freshly poured concrete at the unprotected sixth-floor edge of a building under construction at 360 Neptune Ave. in Brighton Beach.
OSHA said its inspection determined that Sanchez and his co-workers were not provided required fall protection equipment or training on how to minimize fall hazards. "Mr. Sanchez's death could have been prevented by J&M Metro General Contracting," said Kay Gee, OSHA's area director for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. "This employer knew fall protection was required but did not supply lifesaving equipment that would have prevented this fall."