Region 2 News Release: 13-538-NEW (osha 13-029)
March 26, 2013
Contact: Joanna Hawkins Leni Fortson
Phone: 215-861-5101 215-861-5102
Email: hawkins.joanna@dol.gov uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA fines Cape May, NJ, new home builder nearly
$49,000 for fall hazards at Sea Isle City, NJ, site

CAPE MAY, N.J. ¿ The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Cape May-based JF Builders Inc. with two repeat and two serious safety violations, including fall hazards, found at a Sea Isle City work site. The November 2012 inspection was initiated as part of OSHA's local emphasis program for fall hazards in construction, resulting in $48,510 in proposed penalties.

The repeat violations, with a $37,730 penalty, were cited for workers exposed to fall hazards from heights of approximately 12 feet to the ground surface. The same violations were cited in 2009 and 2011. A repeat violation is issued 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.

Two serious violations, carrying a $10,780 penalty, were due to unprotected workers exposed to fall hazards while working from an elevated wooden pallet resting on the forks of a front-end loader. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

"Falls remain the leading cause of death and serious injury in the construction industry," said Paula Dixon-Roderick, director of OSHA's Marlton Area Office. "It is imperative for employers to ensure their workers have adequate protection and are safe in the workplace."

OSHA has created a Stop Falls Web page at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls with detailed information in English and Spanish on fall protection standards. The page offers fact sheets, posters and videos that vividly illustrate various fall hazards and appropriate preventive measures.

JF Builders Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director in Marlton, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report 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 Marlton Area Office at 856-596-5200.

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.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.