Region 2 News Release: 13-1849-NEW (osha 13-100)
Sept. 10, 2013
Contact: Leni Fortson Joann Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5102 215-861-5101
Email: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA fines Keyport, NJ, company $53,900 after
construction worker falls approximately 45 feet at Jersey City site in June

KEYPORT, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Keyport-based Shamrock Construction Group Inc. for an alleged repeat violation found while workers were engaged in the construction of a new commercial facility in Jersey City. OSHA's June investigation began in response to a referral from the Jersey City Police Department after a construction worker fell approximately 45 feet while performing steel erection.

Carrying a proposed penalty of $53,900, the repeat violation involves the company's failure to protect a worker from fall hazards while engaged in decking. A similar violation was cited in 2007 and 2012. 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.

"Falls remain the leading cause of death in the construction industry. It's imperative that employers ensure that workers are provided with proper fall protection equipment and are trained to wear it at all times a fall hazard is present," said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office. "Employers, such as Shamrock Construction Group, will continue to be held legally responsible by OSHA for repeatedly exposing workers to fall hazards. Jeopardizing workers' lives will not be tolerated."

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.

Shamrock Construction Group has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director in Parsippany, 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 Parsippany Area Office at 973-263-1003.

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.

# # #

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