Posted by Dan Phelan on Tue, Apr 05, 2011 @ 08:31 AM
US Labor Department's OSHA cites homebuilder DR Horton and 4 subcontractors for fall hazards at Parker, Colo., construction site
DENVER (MMD Newswire) April 4, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited homebuilder D.R. Horton of Greenwood Village, along with four subcontractors, for safety violations resulting from a fall hazard inspection at a Parker worksite. Proposed penalties for all employers at the worksite total $93,640.
"D.R. Horton failed to properly manage a residential project jobsite by allowing subcontractor employees to be exposed to serious fall hazards," said John Healy, OSHA area director in Englewood. "This employer is well aware of the requirements for fall protection and has been cited several times for similar infractions."
D.R. Horton currently is being cited with one repeat violation of OSHA's residential construction fall protection standard for failing to protect workers from falls during framing and sheathing. The proposed penalty is $70,000. The company was cited for similar hazards in April and September of 2006 in Colorado. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
Denver-based subcontractors Kellory & Co. Inc., Webb Construction Inc., Dain Construction Inc. and LBR Construction Inc. are being cited with repeat and serious violations carrying a combined proposed penalty of $23,640. The alleged violations relate to a lack of fall protection during framing and sheathing, and inadequate training on the use of forklifts. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
Detailed information about fall hazards and safeguards is available on OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/construction.html.
The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed 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. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Englewood Area Office; telephone 303-843-4500. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
Does your construction company have an extra 70K available to pay an OSHA fine? If not, compliance should be your #1 priority. Not just for the safety of your workers and their families, but also for the financial safety of your firm.