OSHA Cites Berlin Builders Inc. Again for Fall Violations
Nicholas DeJesse, director of the agency's Philadelphia Area Office, said "A developer and contractor that hire this company are truly rolling the dice on worker safety. Amid the hazards we have cited, two Berlin Builders' employees suffered falls in 2015. This employer must make immediate changes before something worse happens."
The safety hits, via OSHA, just keep on coming for Berlin Builders Inc., squarely in the agency's crosshairs because of repeatedly violating fall protection standards, according to the latest OSHA news release. As the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction on May 2-6 draws near, OSHA said the contractor is an unfortunate object lesson in why the stand-down is needed: Berlin Builders now faces fines totaling $896,006.
Berlin Builders, based in Cinnaminson, N.J., is a framing subcontractor on many residential construction projects in southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and northern Delaware, has failed 21 of 27 federal safety inspections in 12 months, according to OSHA, and faces proposed penalties totaling $789,536 for violations in 20 of those inspections, with a more recent inspection adding $106,470 in fines.
"Berlin Builders has an extensive OSHA history that reflects a callous disregard for its employees," said Nicholas DeJesse, director of the agency's Philadelphia Area Office. "A developer and contractor that hire this company are truly rolling the dice on worker safety. Amid the hazards we have cited, two Berlin Builders' employees suffered falls in 2015. This employer must make immediate changes before something worse happens."
The most recent inspection was at a Berlin Builders site in October 2015 in Philadelphia, with OSHA citing the company for one willful, two repeat, and two serious violations. "Inspectors responded to an imminent danger report alleging workers were 30 feet or more off the ground at 1427 Kater St. with no fall protection as required. OSHA found the company was contracted to frame residential properties as high as four stories at the site," the release states.
To view the citations, visit http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/BerlinBuilders_1102898.pdf.