Region 3 News Release: 13-330-PHI (osha 13-020)
March 11, 2013
Contact: Leni Fortson Joanna Hawkins
Phone: 215-861-5102 215-861-5101
Email: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA fines Lansdowne, Pa., masonry company
more than $73,000 for fall and other safety hazards

LANSDOWNE, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Lansdowne-based J.C. Stucco and Stone, doing business as J.C. Construction, with four repeat and two serious safety violations, including fall hazards found at a Philadelphia work site. OSHA's August 2012 inspection was initiated as part of the agency's regional emphasis program on falls. Proposed penalties total $73,150.

The repeat violations, with a $65,450 penalty, include lack of bracing, inadequate access, lack of fall protection and failing to conduct daily inspections of working conditions. 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 enforcements states within the last five years. Similar violations were cited in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The serious violations, carrying $7,700 in penalties, are due to the improper use of planking and lack of fall protection on a walkway section between scaffold units. A serious citation is issued 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.

"Falls remain a leading cause of death in the construction industry; therefore, it is imperative for employers to ensure their workers have adequate protection and are safe in the workplace," said Domenick Salvatore, director of OSHA's Philadelphia Area Office. "OSHA will not tolerate employers who jeopardize the safety of workers."

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.

J.C. Construction does exterior masonry installation and finish coatings, including stucco and dryvit, to residential and commercial properties. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director in Philadelphia, 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 OSHA's Philadelphia Area Office at 215-597-4955.

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, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.