NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.
OSHA News Release
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Region 4
Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
Region 4 News Release: 07-172-ATL (028)
Feb. 8, 2007
Contact: Dan Fuqua Michael Wald
Phone: (404) 562-2078 (404) 562-2076
TAMPA, Fla. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Bradenton, Fla.-based Commercial Plastering and proposed penalties totaling $65,600 following the investigation of an employee's death at a St. Petersburg construction site.
"This incident could have been prevented if OSHA safety regulations and equipment manufacturer's instructions had been followed," said Les Grove, OSHA's Tampa area director. "The company unnecessarily put employees' lives at risk."
The department's investigation revealed that guardrails had not been installed on the scaffolding and that planks used on the scaffolding system were not installed according to OSHA regulations. The fatality occurred Sept. 25, 2006, when a worker fell 100 feet from a scaffolding system.
OSHA issued two citations, with proposed penalties of $56,000, for alleged repeat violations of failing to inspect the system for visible defects by a competent person and failing to install guardrails. The company had been cited for these same two violations in 2004. OSHA issues a repeat citation when an employer has previously been cited for a substantially similar violation and that citation and its penalty have become final.
The company also received two serious citations, with proposed penalties of $9,600, for allegedly failing to install planks correctly and failing to train employees to identify and minimize potential hazards. 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.
Commercial Plastering has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Tampa Area Office, 5807 Breckenridge Parkway, Suite A, phone: (813) 626-1177.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information about trenching safety and other safe work practices, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Labor Department (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
Feb. 8, 2007
Contact: Dan Fuqua Michael Wald
Phone: (404) 562-2078 (404) 562-2076
U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Cites Bradenton, Fla. Contractor Following Investigation of Fatality at St. Petersburg Construction Site
TAMPA, Fla. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Bradenton, Fla.-based Commercial Plastering and proposed penalties totaling $65,600 following the investigation of an employee's death at a St. Petersburg construction site.
"This incident could have been prevented if OSHA safety regulations and equipment manufacturer's instructions had been followed," said Les Grove, OSHA's Tampa area director. "The company unnecessarily put employees' lives at risk."
The department's investigation revealed that guardrails had not been installed on the scaffolding and that planks used on the scaffolding system were not installed according to OSHA regulations. The fatality occurred Sept. 25, 2006, when a worker fell 100 feet from a scaffolding system.
OSHA issued two citations, with proposed penalties of $56,000, for alleged repeat violations of failing to inspect the system for visible defects by a competent person and failing to install guardrails. The company had been cited for these same two violations in 2004. OSHA issues a repeat citation when an employer has previously been cited for a substantially similar violation and that citation and its penalty have become final.
The company also received two serious citations, with proposed penalties of $9,600, for allegedly failing to install planks correctly and failing to train employees to identify and minimize potential hazards. 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.
Commercial Plastering has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Tampa Area Office, 5807 Breckenridge Parkway, Suite A, phone: (813) 626-1177.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information about trenching safety and other safe work practices, visit www.osha.gov.
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U.S. Labor Department (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.