OSHA Fines Texas Construction Contractor More Than $157K

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed penalties totaling $157,600 against Shelby Stephens Construction Inc., a Fort Worth, Texas-based contractor, for allegedly failing to protect employees from falls and falling objects at two of its worksites in Garland.

OSHA cited the wood-framing company, which has 19 employees, for eight alleged serious and 15 alleged repeat violations following two OSHA inspections which began on Jan.7 at the company’s worksite at 5085 President George Bush Freeway and Feb, 11 at 310 Town Center Blvd. in Garland. OSHA said investigations revealed that employees were not being adequately protected from falls and falling objects, and other workplace hazards.

“This is not the first time this employer has exposed its employees to unsafe working conditions,” said Stephen Boyd, OSHA’s area director in Dallas.

The serious violations at the President George Bush Freeway location were for failing to: extend the end of platforms at least 6 inches over the centerline of its support, ensure that 10-foot platforms extended more than 12 inches over their support and provide a ladder at all points of access.

Serious violations at the Town Center Boulevard worksite include failure to install adequate bracing on scaffolding and to ensure scaffold poles were set on a firm foundation.

A serious violation is one in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result when the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

Repeat violations include Shelby Stephens Construction’s failure to provide employees with fall protection equipment, such as helmets; to provide employees with personal protective equipment when working with power tools, such as goggles to protect the eyes; and to ensure platforms and walkways are at least 18 inches in width.

A repeat violation is defined as a violation that previously was cited where, upon re-inspection, a substantially similar violation is found.

Shelby Stephens Construction has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director in Dallas, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA, www.osha.gov