Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog
After citing a Danvers, Massachusetts, roofing contractor for inadequate guards to protect workers from falling, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has warned all construction employers in Essex and Middlesex counties to take safety precautions against falling hazards. OSHA cited A.C. Castle Construction Co. Inc. of Danvers for potential fall hazards at their residential job site located at 5 Collins Street, in Danvers.
Jeffrey A. Erskine, OSHA’s area director for Essex and Middlesex counties, said, “These citations address basic construction safety hazards that should not have existed in the first place. They should be of vital concern to all employers whose workers labor at heights and near power lines…Employers should take the time to perform a spring tuneup, including reviewing their safety programs, equipment, employee training and applicable OSHA regulations to ensure that their workers are effectively protected against falls and other hazards.”
The company faces almost $61,000 in fines for 21 citations. They were charged with three repeat citations amounting to $15,200 in fines for falling hazards as high as 19 feet, along with the lack of head protection. Eighteen serious citations were issued with $45,600 in fines for numerous additional safety hazards including exposure to electric shock, frayed electrical lines, lack of head, eye, or foot protection, and for the lack of a competent person overseeing the site who should have been able to identify such hazards.
For all construction and roofing contractors, OSHA provides detailed online information on these mandatory and recommended fall hazard safety topics:
•Employers’ mandatory job to provide fall protection •Criteria and practices of fall protection systems
•Training requirements for employers and employees •Determining roof widths •Guardrail systems
•Fall arrest systems and positioning device systems, such as lifelines that should be connected to the body-belt or harness and attached to anchorage
If you have been injured on a construction site due to your employers lack of safety measures, contact one of our experienced Massachusetts workers’ compensation lawyers for advise on your case and a free consultation.
Source:
US Labor Department’s OSHA urges employers to guard against fall hazards after citing employer at Danvers, Mass., jobsite, OSHA Regional News, March 24, 2011
Contact the Massachusetts work injury lawyers at Altman & Altman if you have been injured on the job.
