Jan. 19, 2016

South Jersey carpentry contractor continues exposing workers
to safety hazards, most recently at Norristown work site
OSHA fines Berlin Builders more than $54K for violations

Employer name: Berlin Builders Inc., 141 Rte. 130, Suite 192, in Cinnaminson, New Jersey

Inspection site: Residential construction project at 1202 Dekalb St. in Norristown, Pennsylvania

Citations issued: On Jan. 15, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations for three repeat and one serious safety violations.

Investigation findings: OSHA investigators found a lack of proper fall protection equipment, improper use of a portable ladder, and a lack of ladder safety training, resulting in the repeat violations.

The serious violation involved temporary handrails for a staircase not provided.

Proposed penalties: $54,450

Quote: "Berlin Builders was just incorporated in March 2015 and already has been inspected by OSHA 20 times in the tri-state area. Eight citations have been issued to the company so far and all have included violations for lack of fall protection and improper use of ladders," said Jean Kulp, director of OSHA's Allentown Area Office. "Despite knowing what OSHA safety standards should be followed to prevent falls and other injuries in residential construction work, Berlin Builders continues to ignore these safeguards. Jeopardizing worker safety will not be tolerated."

View the citations: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/BerlinBuildersInc_1095588.pdf.

Berlin Builders' OSHA history can be viewed here.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Allentown Area Office at 267-429-7542.

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Media Contacts:

Leni Fortson, 215-861-5102, uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov

Release Number: 16-37-PHI (osha 16-006 Berlin Builders)

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