OSHA Cites N.Y. Contractor for Fall Hazards

Failure to protect workers against fall hazards during construction of the new Pittsford Library in Pittsford, New York, has led the U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to propose $72,000 in penalties against Oldcastle Precast Inc., Manchester, N.Y.

The company was cited for alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards following an inspection last November.

The inspection reportedly found employees were exposed to falls of up to16 feet while working around or near unprotected wall and floor holes or working without fall protection. Two repeat citations, carrying $67,500 in proposed penalties, were issued because OSHA had previously cited the company in July and October of 2003 for similar violations at two jobsites in Buffalo, N.Y.

Oldcastle Precast Inc. was fined $4,500 and received two serious citations for an employee working in a manlift without fall protection and employees exposed to falls of up to 20 feet through an improperly guarded second floor elevator shaft. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm could results from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.