NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.
OSHA News Release -
Boston
Region
Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
Region 1 News Release: 08-1512-BOS/BOS 2008-311
Mon., Oct. 27, 2008
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
BRAINTREE, Mass. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a Marshfield, Mass., steel erection contractor for a total of 14 alleged willful and serious violations of safety standards after an employee fell 20 feet at a Pembroke, Mass., jobsite on June 12. Brian Barnes, doing business as Barco Metal Fabrication, faces a total of $55,600 in proposed fines following an OSHA inspection opened the day of the accident.
OSHA's inspection found employees at the 130 Corporate Park Drive jobsite performing steel erection work at heights of 20 feet without effective fall protection. OSHA's steel erection standard requires that an effective form of fall protection, such as safety belts and lanyards, guardrails or safety nets, be in place and in use.
In this case, the absence of such safeguards resulted in OSHA issuing Barco one willful citation, with a proposed fine of $28,000. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
"Employees are just one step away from possible death or disabling injuries when fall protection is lacking," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director in Braintree. "While no death resulted from this fall, there is no excuse for an employer, particularly one who knows what's required, not to supply and ensure the use of this vital safeguard at all times."
The inspection also identified a variety of other fall, steel erection and impalement hazards. These included an improperly anchored and rigged harness and lifeline; lack of training in how to operate and recognize hazards associated with aerial lifts; lack of ladder safety training; inadequate ladder access; inadequately braced steel joists; beginning steel erection without receiving written notification that concrete and masonry mortar was of sufficient strength to support loads; removing anchor bolts without a structural engineer's approval; unguarded rebar; damaged welding leads; and failure to have a competent person conduct frequent and regular jobsite inspections to identify hazards. These conditions resulted in the issuance of 13 serious citations, carrying $27,600 in fines. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.
Detailed fall protection information is available on OSHA's Web site at www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html while information on steel erection is available at http://www.osha.gov/doc/steelerection/index.html.
Barco has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to meet with OSHA or to contest them to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Braintree Area Office; telephone 617-565-6924.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
Mon., Oct. 27, 2008
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
U.S. Labor Department's OSHA proposes $55,600 in fines against Marshfield, Mass., contractor following employee fall at Pembroke, Mass., jobsite
BRAINTREE, Mass. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a Marshfield, Mass., steel erection contractor for a total of 14 alleged willful and serious violations of safety standards after an employee fell 20 feet at a Pembroke, Mass., jobsite on June 12. Brian Barnes, doing business as Barco Metal Fabrication, faces a total of $55,600 in proposed fines following an OSHA inspection opened the day of the accident.
OSHA's inspection found employees at the 130 Corporate Park Drive jobsite performing steel erection work at heights of 20 feet without effective fall protection. OSHA's steel erection standard requires that an effective form of fall protection, such as safety belts and lanyards, guardrails or safety nets, be in place and in use.
In this case, the absence of such safeguards resulted in OSHA issuing Barco one willful citation, with a proposed fine of $28,000. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
"Employees are just one step away from possible death or disabling injuries when fall protection is lacking," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director in Braintree. "While no death resulted from this fall, there is no excuse for an employer, particularly one who knows what's required, not to supply and ensure the use of this vital safeguard at all times."
The inspection also identified a variety of other fall, steel erection and impalement hazards. These included an improperly anchored and rigged harness and lifeline; lack of training in how to operate and recognize hazards associated with aerial lifts; lack of ladder safety training; inadequate ladder access; inadequately braced steel joists; beginning steel erection without receiving written notification that concrete and masonry mortar was of sufficient strength to support loads; removing anchor bolts without a structural engineer's approval; unguarded rebar; damaged welding leads; and failure to have a competent person conduct frequent and regular jobsite inspections to identify hazards. These conditions resulted in the issuance of 13 serious citations, carrying $27,600 in fines. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.
Detailed fall protection information is available on OSHA's Web site at www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html while information on steel erection is available at http://www.osha.gov/doc/steelerection/index.html.
Barco has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to meet with OSHA or to contest them to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This inspection was conducted by OSHA's Braintree Area Office; telephone 617-565-6924.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.