Construction, Enforcement and Inspection

Employer Not Getting the Message on Scaffolding Hazards

Citations against a contractor cited more than 40 times for scaffolding violations have been upheld by the commission that reviews contested OSHA cases. Despite years of enforcement activity, this employer has not shown encouraging signs of changing its ways. Get details here.

An administrative law judge with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) has affirmed nine OSHA violations and assessed $345,000 in fines against a Pennsylvania masonry contractor. The independent panel hears disputes between the U.S. Secretary of Labor and employers that contest OSHA violations.

According to OSHA, this business has been cited 41 times since 2011 for exposing workers to life-threatening scaffolding hazards. Earlier this year, the contractor entered into a partial settlement agreement with OSHA. The only remaining issue before the commission was the appropriateness of penalties issued by OSHA. In explaining his decision, Philadelphia Regional Solicitor Oscar L. Hampton III commented, “This action demonstrates our commitment to take aggressive action when an employer repeatedly ignores its responsibilities regarding the health and safety of its workers.”
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