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Region 4 News Release:   USDL: 00-49
Friday, March 03, 2000
Contact: Raymond Finney
PHONE:(770) 493-6644

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today cited Beers Construction Company and proposed fines totaling $108,000 for safety violations at a Buford, Ga., worksite.

According to Ray Finney, OSHA's Atlanta-East area director, 250 of the Atlanta-based general contractor's 2,000 employees were on the Buford job site to build a large waste water reclamation facility.

OSHA's comprehensive safety inspection resulted in five repeat violations with proposed penalties totaling $90,000. Among these were poor housekeeping in removing construction debris and trash; obstructions in entrance and exit pathways; no guard rails and missing guard rails; employees not tied off to protect against falls, and employees exposed to impalement when working above steel bars used for reinforcing poured concrete.

An additional $18,000 penalty was proposed for five serious violations found during the inspection. These included safety precautions for above ground fuel storage tanks and tank pump motors, fall protection, and trench safety.

Finney explained that violations found at the Buford job site could lead to serious injury or death and that the construction industry continues to be a major concern for OSHA. He said, "In this case, we issued repeat citations. These result when we find employers continuing to ignore OSHA standards in areas for which they have been previously cited. Repeat violations will always warrant strong OSHA response."

Beers Construction Company has 15 working days to contest OSHA citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Inspections of the Buford worksite were conducted by OSHA's area office located at LaVista Perimeter Office Park, Building 7, Suite 110, Tucker, Ga. 30084-4154; telephone: (770) 493-6644.