Texas Construction Contractor Fined $82K for Alleged Safety Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Francisco Rubio, a Sunnyvale, Texas-based framing contractor, for two alleged serious and 10 alleged repeat violations for failing to protect workers from fall, electrical and struck-by hazards at the company’s worksite in Rockwall. Proposed penalties total $82,200.

OSHA began its inspection on Oct. 11 at the company’s worksite on Barton Springs Lane in Rockwall and found employees were framing a house without the use of protective equipment such as safety glasses, hard hats or safety belts.

The serious violations are for failing to ensure electrical cords were capable of carrying the proper load or current while using power tools and to provide fire extinguishers.

Repeat violations include failing to provide required fall protection equipment, provide safe access to elevated work areas such as extension ladders, ensure the use of safety glasses while working with power tools and ensure that work platforms and walkways were at least 18 inches wide.

Francisco Rubio has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s Dallas Area Office or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA