Region 6 News Release: DOL-OSHA-10-118-DAL
Feb. 2, 2010
Contact: Elizabeth Todd
Phone: 972-850-4710

US Labor Department's OSHA cites O.S. Interior Systems following fatality at Houston worksite

HOUSTON -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited O.S. Interior Systems Inc. for alleged workplace safety violations following a fatality at the company's worksite at 20555 State Highway 249 in Houston. Proposed penalties total $112,000.

"This employer failed to advise its employees on the locations of electrical lines," said Dean McDaniel, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "If the company had followed OSHA's standards, it is possible this tragic accident could have been avoided."

OSHA's Houston North Area Office began its inspection on Aug. 14 when an employee who was removing a demountable wall made contact with a live wire and died. The company was cited for two alleged willful violations for failing to adequately protect employees from energized electrical circuits and failing to inform employees about the hazards involved with energized electrical circuits. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the Houston North Area Director or to contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call the Houston North OSHA area office at 281-591-2438 or its Houston South Area Office at 281-286-0583 or call the agency's toll-free hotline number at 1-800-321-6742 to report workplace accidents, fatalities, or situations posing imminent danger to workers.

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 assure 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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